AN: Hello there, it's been a while, I know... I started UNI so I've not had much time for fanfiction writing as of late but Season 3 of The Royals is coming and I wanted to get back on here and get on with this collection of one shots. Thanks to all who've left reviews in my absence, it's very much appreciated! :)

"I need you."

They'd been arguing just ten minutes ago, one of the maids had gotten a little too friendly with Jasper and though she knew Jasper was not in the wrong, that the maid she just fired was, it enraged her.

Fifteen minutes ago they had been fighting and now Cyrus had a gun pointing at Queen Helena and Eleanor just happened to be with her when Cyrus made his entrance, quickly pulling his gun out, consumed by a drug binge rage. Her uncle had literally lost the plot is the first thing the Princess thought, then she thought of Robbie and Simon and Liam... Jasper... Jasper.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Queen Helena demanded.

Cyrus snarled, then proceeded to wave his gun frantically. "You!" He shouted with pure hatred. "You've taken everything from me, there's nothing left, you evil bitch!"

For once in her life Eleanor was at a loss for words. All she could do was watch, frozen in fear until the sound of her phone ringing in her pocket brought her crashing back down to reality.

It was then Cyrus pointed his gun at Eleanor. "Give it to me!" He demanded.

In normal circumstances Eleanor would never willingly hand over her phone but she was left with no choice and so she did as asked, refusing to allow her Uncle to see any signs of her fear.

Cyrus accepted the call with a gleaming smile on his face. "How unsurprising," He commented, his gun still pointed at his niece. "The princess' lapdog comes running."

Eleanor could hear muffled shouting but she couldn't hear exactly what it was Jasper had been saying whilst Cyrus goaded him.

Queen Helena glanced over at her daughter, she could feel her fear and throughout the madness all that mattered to her was the safety of her daughter.

"God, Cyrus, do you really think you can get away with this?" She asked, eyebrow raised, she truly was curious.

Cyrus laughed manically. "Fuck no bitch but don't you see? I really don't care anymore, I have fuck all to lose whore!"

It was then that they all could hear footsteps, someone approaching, then came the calling of a certain name. "Eleanor! Eleanor, FUCK, where the fuck are you? Eleanor!"

Eleanor's eyes darted towards the door, the panic on her face visible which only brought Cyrus his own sick version of joy. So, when the door opened her stomach was in knots and as soon as Eleanor saw Jasper she wanted to cry.

It took Jasper about ten seconds all in all to register the situation. Three royals, one unhinged, two at risk, a gun and one off duty bodyguard... With no gun.

"SHIT," Jasper thought to himself. "SHIT. SHIT. SHIT."

He looked over and saw Queen Helena first, then he looked back at Cyrus whose gun was currently pointed at him, then he looked at Eleanor and he was overwhelmed by the love he felt for her and the need to protect from the world, including a drug crazed psychotic uncle.

"So, lapdog," Cyrus said. "I can't decide who to shoot first." His eyes flickered between Eleanor and Helena. "What do you think?"

Jasper wanted to say "Yourself you crazy fucking bastard" but said nothing.

Cyrus laughed. "Helpful. See, it's only that bitch Helena I wanted dead but the dear Princess just happened to be here too. Crazy, no?"

Jasper ignored him, his attention focused on both Eleanor and her mother. "Are you alright? Has he hurt you?"

"We're fine Frost," The Queen answered.

Jasper looked at Eleanor who nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fine" She told him, her voice quiet.

The way she answered him was almost enough to break him. But he couldn't break not now, right now she needs him, he can break later... Later, there will be a later, there has to be a later. Jasper threw both hands in the air, carefully making his way towards Eleanor.

Cyrus laughed, waving the gun around before finally deciding to point it back at Helena. "You move, lapdog and I'll shoot."

Jasper froze, he had a choice to make and little time to make it... As Cyrus continued goading Helena, Jasper took a deep breath and allowed himself one quick look at Eleanor. "I love you," He thought to himself as her eyes met his.
And then he moved. He moved faster than he even knew he was capable of, one second the gun was only in Cyrus' grasp and the next both Cyrus and Jasper were grappling for it.

Eleanor could do nothing but scream but her mother took her hand, squeezed it in an attempt to stop the trembling and yanked her daughter back, just in case. Jasper's thoughts were under attack as Eleanor's scream pierced his heart. He couldn't afford to look away but if he could he'd see Eleanor with her mother near her desk, Helena having pressed the panic button underneath her desk just seconds prior.

It happened quickly. Jasper saw an opening and took it, Cyrus fell backwards and his grip loosened enough for Jasper to quickly grab the gun from his grasp.

Shouting. Lots of shouting. Heavily armed guards barged into the room

and he could feel Helena and Eleanor's relief at their arrival. But something didn't feel quite right but he couldn't put his finger on it. Eleanor was soon behind him, she expected him to turn around immediately but he groaned in pain. Then the sound of her voice brought him to turn around.

"Len," he said quietly, though loud enough for her and her mother to hear him. "I love you."

Before the Princess could return the sentiment Jasper lifted his jacket a little, then looked down to see blood pouring out once he moved his hand Eleanor and Helena could see too, he quickly looked at Eleanor before falling to the ground. All he could hear was the faint sound of Eleanor shouting, in between blinks he could see her looking over him, his eyes felt heavy, all he wanted to do was close them.

"Don't, don't you dare Jasper, you don't get to quit, after all the bullshit you put me through, you don't get to do this, do you fucking hear me Jasper Frost? You don't get to worm your way in and make me let you in just for you to go and fucking die on me, you don't, you're not allowed to die, okay? You're not allowed."

Hours passed, hours and hours, it felt like a lifetime. When the door swung open and a doctor walked through Eleanor stood up, bracing herself for the fall she'd have when they told her he was dead.

"Mr Frost is a very lucky man, just an inch to the left and he likely wouldn't have even made it to the hospital alive."

Eleanor let out a breath, she hadn't realized she'd been holding it in as the doctor spoke. "Can I see him?"

The doctor looked hesitant. "He's in the ICU, your highness, ordinarily you must wait at least two hours post-surgery before visiting so I-"

"My daughter will be taken to see Mr Frost," Helena interrupted hastily, a look on her face she knew no doctor would be able to challenge. "We appreciate everything you've done, Doctor… Thank you."

As Eleanor stood there, by his bedside, her mother waited outside with their security detail. Eleanor held his hand as she spoke, "Bloody hell Jasper, we have one fight and you have to go and get yourself shot to get out of the dog house, talk about taking things to the extreme,"

She trembled. The way he looked, just laid there, hooked up to machines, it terrified her, and it reminded her that for once she really had something to lose. If she lost him… She didn't want to think about, she couldn't allow herself to, it would only hurt her.

"I need you Jasper, you bloody stupid American."