Her parents, once they were appraised of the situation, decided that they really needed to talk to Mr. Brooks face to face to get the directions on how to fend off Prince and his assistants, who would be calling to arrange a meeting.

When Mr. Brooks arrived, his took a long look at the flowers and the letter and then sat down at the sofa with the blankest expression on his face. Kim's own stomach tightened in apprehension: somehow she figured it was not a good development for her.

"I was afraid it would come to that," he said at last. "You will have to meet with the Prince, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford."

They all had a various looks of panic and shock.

"The young men, that Prince has dealt with, are the offspring of the two clans that are political allies to the Royal family. Their ascension to the throne was not exactly peaceful and they had spilt blood of many and made alliances with some more powerful clans in the country. The two young men have had their share of objectionable behaviour, but were insulated by their proximity to Prince and because of the alliance of clans. Now, with this punishment, the Royal family is signaling that such historic alliances are not longer enough. The pretexts is their actions towards Kim, but the reason is suspicion. The recent attempt on Prince was determined to be an inside job and the family is purging ranks right now."

"All right, I get it. They have their political intrigue going on there, but why does it mean we have to meet the guy and what does it mean for Kim?" Her dad was solemn.

"Traditionally, the princes of Hakhmakhistan took brides from within the country. That has changed after the current family was crowned. They felt that it would give some clans too much influence in the court. Still, their choices tended to stay within he region: similar cultures, closely related history. Prince's choice to go after your daughter is the clearest signal that they suspect the opposition being supported by those former allies and close neighbours. You'll have to meet him and ask him these questions. You would be within your rights to do so. And the Prince would have to answer them to your satisfaction. For our part, we would have to consider the plan to remove Kim if the situation warrants it."

"What? Are you saying I am not safe? I thought that Prince wouldn't resort to kidnapping."

"He might not. Your betrothal is a well-known fact. Prince might try to convince you or your parents go break it off. But his enemies or even well-meaning friends... You have to understand, Kim, women in general do not get the same freedom of choice there as men do. Take the bride napping. some frame it as a romantic and old tradition, but it has enormous consequences for a young woman in question. There are virtually no examples of a girl rejecting her 'groom' after the kidnapping, because of the perceived damage to the reputation. Those same people wouldn't think twice to take you if it means to influence the prince. So, no, you are not safe. Not only from Prince, but from those friends and enemies of the Royal family."

"You think that Kim is important to Prince or at least other might think so?"

"I am afraid so. And these flowers mean that his affections are engaged. At least that is how it would be interpreted." Kim looked at the innocent flowers, so pale and simple. "These are found on the coat of armor of the Royal family. He is in fact giving you something with the family insignia. You would have to communicate clearly to the Prince that in light of the previous betrothal and because you honor is engaged, you simply cannot undo the alliance. "

"But... We thought that he knows and does not care about it."

"You are right. And he would have to convince you, and if he can't, any other alternative would make him look weak. In fact, Kim single most valuable defense is the betrothal to Mr. Brewer. They are beholden to such notions as debts and words of honor. You, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford, can also shield most of the uncomfortable inquiries by the Prince by invoking the previous arrangement."

"I guess we need t have the engagement party sooner than later," her mom said and Kim swallowed hard. Yep, they were running out of the time.

Jack was content. The week after the disastrous betrothal was rough. There was the undeniable sexiness of Kim, restless dreams, the auction jitters, and the evening thrown by the Chamber of Commerce.

But now the week was over. The school population knew about him and Kim dating. The reception yesterday was a success in that Prince has not spent any time with Kim alone and in fact lost some points for having lousy friends. He felt good enough that he thought he could call Kim to just... digest all that has happened.

But as soon as he grabbed the phone, he dropped it. What exactly was he planning to achieve? Chat like girls do, rehashing things? Talk strategy like Milton would? Or perhaps try and figure out where they, he and Kim, stood? He did not know the answer to that and was not going to call until he knew.

He filled time with ignoring his mom's incessant chatter about all things Kim, dodge any choirs she might throw at him and playing games. He was ready to call up Jerry to have something to do, when Milton called.

Jack could barely comprehend his normally eloquent friend, because Milton spoke fast and was greatly upset. Once he calmed down a little he managed to explain that he was in big trouble and that Kim now had to go on a date with Prince because of him, but really was it really his fault if no one knew how to behave around a Royal and their protocols are really too specific.

Once Jack parsed out the facts from Milton's rambling about how innocent he was and Kim just had an awful temper, only the fact that Milton was not physically present stopped Jack from hitting him. All of their work this week was for nothing! He calmed down a little, seeing as it was useless right now.

"How is Kim? Other than pissed at you?" he asked.

"Well... Mad at herself and the Prince too. Apparently he has been inundating her with flowers and letters asking for a meeting. Her parents are talking to Mr. Brooks to make sure they don't break some protocol in dealing with the royal headache."

"Flowers? She does not like cut flowers. I bet that went well..." Jack said absent minded.

"Uhm... I am sure it did not go well. She is kicking herself for getting into this situation, you know."

"She could not have possibly known that Prince would get so fixated on her." Jack was quick to defend Kim.

"Yes, but to the extent that anything in her behavior encouraged the Prince, she now regrets it."

He needed to talk to her. She must be upset and drowning in guilt.

"Thanks for letting me know. I gotta go."

"Jack, if you're going to see her, please tell her how sorry I am. I tried to tell her, but she was really mad and just glared at me. I am now worried what she might do to me..."

He promised to put in a good word with Kim and went to visit his betrothed. She needed him right now.

When he got there he found Kim sulking, Mrs. Crawford checking various venues and Mr. Crawford looking at the flight information.

"Oh, Jack. How are you?"

"I should be asking you this., Mr. Crawford."

"As well as can be expected. I am checking to see if we can go somewhere where Prince and others are not likely to follow us."

Jack wasn't sure if the man was serious, so he only nodded. "I heard that Kim has to meet him now."

"It's not just that..." But he did not get to finish as Kim hissed dad at him and took Jack by the hand and lead him to her room.

"What's going on? I know about the date..."

"It's not a date! I was under duress!" Kim whisper-shouted. Jack only raised his hands in a placating manner. "It's just... Jack, I believe it is my turn to give you an out."

"What?" He honestly did not understand.

Kim's face clouded over and she looked troubled. "Mr. Brooks told us more about the Prince and his family's situation. That attempt on his life that you prevented was just a sign of how much royal intrigue is going on there... Let me finish..." She stopped and gathered her thoughts. "Jack, it may not be safe for you to be near me."

What? What was she saying? Did she...

"What?" He said finally.

"It may not be safe to be around me." She repeated patiently.

"I got that part. What I am asking is, what are you saying exactly?" He had an uncomfortable feeling that be knew where this was going.

"Jack, the Prince has enemies. I am somehow part of his life now and besides Prince himself, there are others, who might... I don't know use me for leverage? And you are an obstacle to them as my betrothed."

He was right. She was talking about what he thought she was talking about.

"So what? You are giving me an out? Because it's dangerous or something? Because you think I will take you up on that? Because you think that I would leave you be? And skulk off happy that I dodged the danger? Is that what you are suggesting?" By the end of his tirade he was kind of pissed off and ready to shake her for being so... so... so Kim about it. Brave, loyal, best friend.

Her face showed the surprise and maybe some understanding of his reactions and she sighed.

"Yes? No? I don't know? ...Obviously you won't stay away. Because you are you. Jack Brewer, noble and loyal. And I don't think I thought that you would 'skulk off.' It's just... you deserve to know that it is more dangerous than some spoiled brat fixated on the thing he can't have."

"It's not about the loyalty or bravery... Well, it is. But, Kim... You must know that even if I wasn't brave or whatever, I'd do it anyway, because I... am... Because you are... you. And I am me. And you mean so much to me. Always have. You must know."

This was not how he planned this visit to go, but now he was glad that he came. Who knew what Kim would have done if she thought she was protecting him?

She gave him a small, tentative, smile and Jack relaxed after that a little. He didn't have to worry about Kim keeping him away.

"As long as you realize the dangers..."

"Oh they can bring it! I am sure we can handle it. And how exactly am I an obstacle?"

"Cocky as ever... And the only thing stopping Prince in his mind is our betrothal. But he is not putting much stock in it. He either thinks is he can persuade me and my parents, or, you know, make you break the engagement." She trailed off making a vague gesture to encompass him.

"Oh... And his enemies?"

"Might use me for leverage if they think that Prince is serious about this whole me-as-his-bride thing."

"And the friendly 'date' with him would only reinforce that idea... Motherf-flipping sonofa-a-gun. That ginger nerd has h-heck of a timing," Jack grumbled. He paced around making about book smarts were useless in real life. "I should have met him face to face so I could show him..." he stopped, catching her expression.

Kim stared at him. "Are you trying to keep our conversation PG?"

Jack folded his arms across his chest. "I can't swear in front of a lady," he said.

"I'm a 'lady'?" Kim asked, then held up a hand. "Since when? Cause I remember the time... No, forget that part. Why can't you swear?"

Jack ran a hand through his hair and hunched forward. "It's just what my mother taught me."

Kim's eyes went wide. "That," she declared, "is adorable."

"Don't," Jack said.

"No, seriously, it's really sweet!" Kim said. "Wait... I thought I heard you swear in front of other girls," Kim pointed.

Jack looked flustered for a moment, then brightened. "Casual acquaintances don't count."

Kim snorted. "Nice try."

"We're getting off the subject," Jack said.

"What was the subject?" Kim asked. "Oh right. The date and the betrothal."

He sat down on her bed, not even sparing a thought that he was sitting on Kim's bed.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Mom thinks we need to have the engagement party real soon. And Mr. Brooks thinks that we might need a contingency plan, where I disappear for a bit..."

Oh... Oh...

"Disappear where? And for how long?" The uncomfortable feeling he felt now was even worse than before, when he thought she was pushing him away.

"I know as much as you do. Dad is looking at places where we all can disappear. But its just him dealing with the stress."

"Mr. Brooks is sure this betrothal will protect you?"

"His exact words were 'Your single most valuable defense is betrothal to Mr. Brewer.' He said something along the lines of how important such alliances are to Hakhmakhi people. How their words are their bonds. That their honor is engaged and they can't break it without suffering a terrible damage to their reputation."

"All right. Let's play it by their rules. Let's make this betrothal as real as we can, so no one can try and undermine it. Let's plan the party. Let's court. Let us be seen everywhere. We can even talk to Phil to figure out if there is anything specific to their weird courtship rules that we must observe." Jack spoke quickly and with conviction and Kim's face was a mixture of hope and fondness.

"You sure Jack? I was serious when I said that this puts you in danger."

"I am. You want this in writing? Kim, whatever else, you are my friend. And I have your back. I can't stand back when you are in danger. You are too important..." he stopped there, but his unspoken 'to me' was out there, as if he said it out loud.

And Kim heard it too, because her face has gone soft and her eyes misty and they stared at each other for a long time, until her eyes fluttered and he swore they dropped to his lips, and before he knew it, he was leaning towards her and then... Then his phone rang loudly, making Kim jump back.

It was Jerry. He mentally promised himself to sort out both of his friends. One for letting this non date happen and another for interrupting a kiss.