Bash arrived back at court to see there was a bit of commotion going on in the throne room. Francis and Mary were seated on their thrones, advisers and such gathered around discussing something privately, as many of the court's nobles stood outside the room whispering amongst themselves. Bash looked at the scene quizzically before entering the throne room.

"Bash. I'm glad you're back. I'm going to need your help." Francis said, as he saw him come in. He motioned for him to come closer, then waved away the men he was speaking to.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"It seems Catherine has been very busy since we sent her away." said Mary.

"What do you mean?" Bash asked, trying to cover his worry.

"I just got word from some nobles who were visiting in England. They say my mother was there making deals with Elizabeth for Mary's head. They say she practically served her up on a silver platter." Francis said quietly. Bash's stomach felt like it was doing back flips.

"If that's true, why hasn't Elizabeth made a move yet?" he asked.

"Who knows, perhaps she's just waiting for the right time." Francis answered.

"I don't understand, what is it you need my help with? What can I do?" he wondered, afraid of his answer.

"They have also said that they believe my mother has returned to France. I need you to use the men at your disposal and find her. If these rumors are true, then she has committed treason against her Queen and…she will have to be executed." he said.

"Executed? Your going to kill your own mother?" Bash felt like he was floating above himself, this couldn't be happening.

"She's given me no choice. I tried banishing her. It wasn't enough. She won't stop until Mary is dead…besides, it's out of my hands, the Vatican will insist if she is convicted." Francis said. Bash scrambled to find an argument.

"Why would she come back here if she'd done such a thing? She would know you would come for her. It makes no sense. Catherine is to logical for that."

"If she is innocent, then she will come willingly, as there would be no evidence against her." Francis shot back. He then got up. "Take every available man. Search everywhere…anywhere." then he left. Bash turned to Mary.

"As angry as Catherine was when she left here, I don't believe she would go that far."

"You know as well as I that Catherine will do anything to get what she wants. I believe she would." Bash nodded. He couldn't argue on her behalf without arising suspicion. He turned on his heals and walked out.

Back at the cabin, Catherine was cleaning up a bit, when Caitlin came back in from outside. She looked at her awkwardly, feeling strange that she knew about Bash.

"Perhaps we should make an effort to return that sword. He might be needing it." Caitlin said in an effort to tease her even more. It amused her how upset she got. "Unless of course he'll be coming back for it…"

Catherine slammed down the sheet she was attempting to fold.

"Alright, alright, fine. He was here again…I was…with him…are you happy now?!"

"Don't get so irritated, I don't know why you were trying to hide it in the first place. You'd think you'd want to flaunt a man as handsome as him." Catherine looked back down at the sheet. "…But if it bothers you that much, I won't bring it up again." Catherine looked back at her gratefully. They went about their routine unknowing of the men out for Catherine's blood.

A few hours later, after setting his men out in the opposite direction of Catherine's cabin, he returned to warn her. He bursted in without even knocking.

"Catherine we need to talk, now." he said as he entered. Caitlin looked up from what she was doing.

"I guess I'll be going." she said and hurried out, grabbing her things as she went.

"Bash what…"Catherine started, but Bash cut her off.

"We have a problem. A very big problem." he said.

"What happened?"

"Francis got wind of your having gone to England. Apparently you were very convincing in your lies to Elizabeth. He thinks you really helped her, that you committed treason. If he finds you, he will likely take your head unless there is proof of your innocence." Catherine had to sit as she was overcome by the shock.

"My own son wants to kill me." she said. Bash sat next to her and took her hand.

"It's going to be alright. I'm in control of the search. I'll keep them looking everywhere but here, for as long as I can. We will get evidence to prove…"

"Evidence? There is no evidence. No one knows the truth of why I was there. I have no one's word to back me up. There are no letters, no paper trail to show my innocence. I made sure there wasn't so that Elizabeth wouldn't figure out my deception. It's my word against whomever told him. He will never believe me."

"There must be some way to get you out of this."

"There isn't. You may be able to buy me time, but eventually they will find me."

"Then you must leave. I'll put you on the first boat to Italy or Spain, wherever you want, but you have to get out of here to where they can't touch you."

"I can't do that. I won't leave. If I do, I'll never see my children again…or you." she said touching his face. "I won't run. What would I be running to?"

"But you have to. You can't just let him execute you for a crime you didn't commit."

"But I thought about it. I was prepared to do exactly what he thinks I did."

"Thinking about doing a bad thing isn't a reason for you to die. If it was, we'd all be dead." he put his forehead to hers "Please try and save yourself. It will be awful being away from you, but I can live knowing that you're safe."

"If I go, it will be admitting guilt."

"But Catherine…"

"Please don't." he closed his eyes and kissed her and then an idea hit him.

"If you won't leave the country, at least let me take you somewhere safer than this. Where you can wait Francis out. If we can keep you away from him long enough to see that Elizabeth has no information to hurt Mary with, maybe he will believe you. If months pass and she makes no move against her…"

"Where on earth could I hide for that much time? You can only keep your men away for so long, eventually they are going to wonder why your keeping them out of these woods."

"I have a whole property. The one Francis gifted to me. It's not being used because I live at the castle. Outside of a few guards and a handful of servants, none of which would recognize you, no one ever goes there. There's not a soul on this earth who would look for you there."

"Bash. That's a huge risk. If someone found out, you would likely end up on the chopping block next to me."

"It's a small risk. One I'm willing to take because it's your only chance."

"I can't ask you to…" she began.

"You didn't." She kissed him and stroked his hair. "Start packing. We'll leave tonight. Under cover of darkness." She nodded.