Title: When We're in the Dark
Chapter: Undercover
Disclaimer: I don't own The Royals, I'm only borrowing!
Rating: M. The rating on the site is T only to make it show up in the bloody search!
Author's Note: Not sure what to say with this one as it feels a bit short and I'm a bit paranoid that my theory about Eleanor and Robert, and how she knows where he is, is a tad simplistic? Or unbelieveable? I don't know, but it's not getting changed now. I should know, I've tried.
In other news thank you again for reading and reviewing as it makes this so much easier to keep going. If I haven't already personally replied then please just know that I've read all of the reviews and I'm glad this seems to be going down well with you all.
In the meantime, I'm getting all kinds of angsty feels and am contemplating writing a one or two shot AU where Eleanor actually ends up as Queen. Maybe I'll snap out of this mood but maybe I won't. Feel free to share your thoughts!
Ave x
"So let me get this straight, you think Robert is sending you a message?"
Jasper wraps the towel around his waist and watches as Eleanor pulls her wet hair away from her face, up into a high knot.
"Well of course he was, my brother doesn't drink Cognac," she explains as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well he's been playing dead for a year Eleanor, who knows what other bad habits he's picked up along the way," he deadpans, noting the scowl that is reflected his way. It's pretty apparent that his sarcasm is not currently welcome, so instead, he tries to reason with her.
"Make that face at me all you like Princess, but if you want me to break lock-down protocol to get you out of the palace, putting your safety and my job at risk, then I'm going to need more to convince me than a vague statement about your brother's drinking preferences and you going down on me in the shower."
Eleanor smirks as she picks out something to wear. By the looks of it, Jasper is sure she's aiming for 'cat burglar' judging by the amount of black going on in the ensemble.
"When I make a request and follow it up with a blow job, that's all the convincing you should damn well need Jasper."
On any other day, she might have had a point, but this is the day when a dead heir to a throne is apparently about to perform a comeback greater than Lazarus himself, so Jasper's not going to just give in and holds her gaze until she gives him what he's asked for - an explanation.
"You are nothing short of infuriating Jasper Frost," Eleanor mutters which is accompanied by a roll of her eyes, but she does pause and calm her frantic efforts to get dressed, "As I've already said, my brother doesn't drink Cognac, but there is one notable exception and that's how I know not only that he's sending me a message, but where he's bloody well holed up."
Jasper is still not convinced she's thinking straight, but he already knows that it's futile trying to convince her to just stay put when she's already shimmied her way into the tightest pair of leather pants he's ever seen and an equally tight roll-neck sweater.
It's almost distracting him from getting to the bottom of this entirely bizarre situation.
"I'm listening," he nods for her to continue.
"Let's just say I'm not the only one who liked to pilfer expensive booze from under the nose of the Deputy Yeoman."
"That doesn't fill in all of the blanks Eleanor. So you share the same bad habits as your brother? That doesn't mean a thing. Why would he take a bottle of a liquor that he doesn't even like from the Royal cellar?"
"Well, when one particular bottle in our possession was gifted to Winston fucking Churchill by Stalin, that's why he pinched it. My brother liked the idea of the future King of England 'drinking a Commie's toddy'. He's was…" she pauses, remembering that her brother is apparently alive, before correcting herself, "...is a little bit twisted like that."
Jasper is afraid of that, and what Robert is going to do when he finds out about his history with Eleanor, but he is going to try only worrying about one thing at a time. It was Jasper's modus operandi and it certainly isn't going to change now.
"Ok, so how does that equate to you knowing where Robert is?"
Eleanor moves around the closet before coming to stand in front of him, "because Jasper…" she sounds exasperated that she is still having to explain this to him, "...I know where he bloody well stashed the damn bottle. Now are you coming or not?"
He sighs knowing this is going to be a long night. Eleanor lets her fingers wander up his torso, her hands coming to rest on his chest. She's seductive and manipulative when she wants to be, but so is he so he can't really fault her methods.
"Fine, but unless you want me breaking you out of the Palace in a towel, then you're going to need to let me go change."
"I suppose you really should, can't have you drawing attention to our escape."
He rolls his own eyes this time before pulling on the trousers and shirt that have been both on and off his body today more times than he can count. They eventually head into the tunnels towards the staff quarters. He opens the door to his own room and goes straight to his locker for a change of clothes. He pulls on a pair of dark jeans and black t-shirt. As he turns around he notices Eleanor trailing her fingers along the surfaces and trying not to let her curiosity appear too obvious. She clearly doesn't realise just how well he knows her.
"Neither an orphan from Camden nor a con artist from Vegas is likely to have any family photographs to put on the wall. Now come on, before I change my mind."
She blocks the door.
"When this is over Jasper, if it'll ever be over, we're going to have to talk about this, talk about you. I have to know that there's a chance I can trust you the way I want to."
It's hardly unexpected so he nods and pulls her into him, relieved when she reciprocates the embrace. He reasons with himself in that moment that Eleanor deserves to know the worst parts of him, as well as the best.
"I'll tell you whatever you want to know and even the parts you don't, but right now you need to at least trust me to keep you alive and get you to your brother. That's all I want you to focus on, ok?"
She nods and releases him.
"After everything that's happened in the past 24 hours, I do trust you that much. Now let's get going Bodyguard."
He's back in that box again but this time he's comfortable in there because he knows that Eleanor is allowing him to focus on the job at hand. He won't compromise her safety so if the label helps him to do that, he is thankful.
They leave his room behind and make their way toward the staff garage where he pulls her towards an old Volkswagen Golf with semi-tinted windows. Despite the car being a relatively modest means of travel, Jasper knew the car was reliable and had allowed him to blend seamlessly into his fabricated backstory.
The Princess appears less than impressed, nor at all interested in the generous mile to the gallon ratio.
"This isn't exactly what I had in mind, Jasper. How much do they actually pay you?"
"To guard you and your brother? Nowhere fucking near enough..."
He is counting on the guard staff being stupid enough to think that someone getting out of the palace rather than into it was less of an issue for the safety of the Royal family.
"...besides, I can hardly smuggle you out in your Range Rover, can I? This will be less conspicuous. Now get into the backseat and hide. I'll never get past the staff exit with THE Princess riding shotgun."
Eleanor narrows her eyes but gets in after he unlocks it. She crouches in the footwell behind the passenger seat and grabs what appears to be a spare jacket from the backseat to throw over herself when the need arises.
"So, are you going to tell me where I'm driving us? And am I going to need GPS? I'm as dubious of your ability to provide directions as I am your ability to actually drive."
"Don't push it Frost, and I should bloody well know the way, I've only been going there for the last 20 years at Christmas."
He turns to her, looking slightly confused.
"Have you ever been to Norfolk, Jasper?"
He hasn't, but he knows what's there.
"Wait a minute, are you trying to tell me that Robert is hiding out at Sandringham? A Royal fucking residence?"
Eleanor nods, "If I'm right, then yes that's where he is. Hiding in plain sight."
He switches on the ignition and makes his way out of the garage.
"Jesus fucking Christ. Your brother is one cocky son of a bitch."
He can't see it but he can hear the smirk on her face in her reply, "You have no idea."