A/N: The last filler then we can get on with it. :) Hope you like and still find this story interesting. Either way please review as again, it keeps me motivated to continue the story. Happy reading!

Chap52

It was approaching early evening as the Prince sat at the head negotiating table at what was promised to be an easy treatise between the southern clans of the Sultaaens and the Forsythians. Unfortunately, negotiations were rapidly dissolving over the trade route and Adam once again had to attempt to pacify each side. Playing referee between these constant warring clans sadly reminded him of his own war with his father.

He shook his head in frustration as the shouting began to escalate and abruptly stood to his feet, arms held up shouting, "Gentleman!"

With that everyone stopped and focused surprised eyes on Adam.

"We've got to find some common ground here. I know how difficult it is when you're dealing with stubborn and hardened mindsets," he closed his eyes then refocused them on the two national leaders. "Believe me, I know. But each of you must be willing to compromise or else we get nowhere and access to the trade route will be denied to both nations. Understood?"

The leaders' eyes widened in disbelief. Sartori, leader of the Sultaaens spoke up. "King Randor would do that to us?"

Adam narrowed his gaze. "No. I would do that to you as I'm responsible for this territory. Have I made myself clear?"

They swallowed hard and nodded in acquiescence as Adam took his seat. Once they resumed talks, the looming threat of possibly being cut off miraculously aided in the two groups finally arriving to terms an hour later.

The Prince held the document in place as Sartori and Fabean each in turn signed the treaty. Prince Adam added his signature and the room erupted in applause over the conclusion of this three year squabble between the two kingdoms. Adam clasped arms with each leader and they each bowed in deference to him. He waved it off and quickly wrapped his arms around their shoulders thanking each of them for their willingness to resolve this longstanding dispute.

"Now if I could only resolve my differences with my father, that would be a bona-fide miracle," his mind muttered sarcastically as he chatted with the southern Eternian leaders.

xxxxxxxxxx

As the kingdom representatives began filing out of the Greyskull Assembly Room, Adam's eyes locked with Man-At-Arms who stood in the doorway across the room. He winced inwardly knowing he would have to face his girlfriend's father eventually over what happened last night. Even though he knew it was inevitable, he still dreaded the impending conversation.

The room emptied as Adam approached, Duncan giving a slight nod of acknowledgement.

"What's up, Duncan?"

The elder man looked somber. "May I talk with you, lad? About…," he cleared his throat. "It's about my daughter."

Adam anxiously bit his lip. "Yes, Sir." He gestured to a pair of chairs by the window as they both took a seat.

In typical fashion, Duncan got straight to the point. "It's my understanding that Teela spent the night with you, is that correct?"

Adam, keeping direct eye contact immediately answered, "Yes, Sir, that is correct."

Man-At-Arms nodded. "I trust you with my daughter, Adam, and no man could be more pleased to have you as their daughter's companion and protector than I. But please forgive me son. As her father I must ask you; did anything happen between you two last night?"

Without taking his eyes off of his mentor, Adam replied, "Something almost happened between us since we're...sharing the same bed. But no Sir, we did not have sex if that's what you're asking," Adam stated honestly.

Duncan's eyes went round. "You're sharing a bed?"

Adam nodded.

"Why?"

"Because she asked me to," the Prince replied.

"Ancients," Duncan muttered. "What happened at Snake Mountain, Adam?"

Adam drew breath and expelled it through his nostrils. "I believe Teela should tell you, Sir. But if it's any indication, you can bet I look forward to thrashing Beastman to within an inch of his life."

His mentor recoiled in surprise. "Ancients! Did he…?"

"No," he interrupted. "But he came close. Too close for me."

Duncan blinked and nodded. Blowing out a slow breath, he replied, "Adam, thank you for attending to my daughter. I'll talk with her." He stopped and eyed the Prince. "I also understand that you had a talk with your father this morning," he began.

Adam groaned in protest. "Yes, Sir."

Man-At-Arms raised an eyebrow. "And I'm told it didn't go well."

The younger man's eyebrows shot up in response. "You talked to him?"

"Yes, and I talked with your mother as well. I will tell you that your mother is on your side, lad. But your father has…," he hesitated. "Your father has some demons he's struggling with which could explain his state of mind when it comes to matters such as these. You two need to talk, son. And soon."

"Demons?" Adam repeated with one eyebrow now quirked. "I see…"

With that, Duncan placed a hand on Adam's shoulder and squeezed it affectionately as they both stood to their feet. "As difficult as it is for me to accept that my daughter is growing up, I'm okay with her staying with you for the time being, son. But," he added with a raised finger, "Remember to think with this brain," he said as he tapped Adam's forehead. "Not the other one, understand?"

Adam flinched in disbelief and bit his lip to refrain from bursting into inappropriate laughter. Never had the stoic Man-At-Arms mentioned anything about sex to him when he was younger and this conversation had morphed into something way too strange to accept as fact. He finally managed to nod eagerly as the two clasped arms.

"Father?" a voice called from the doorway across the room. Both men snapped their heads towards her in surprise as she approached.

"You're not interrogating Adam too, are you?" Teela asked, hands on hips, her eyes narrowed in annoyance.

Duncan shook his head. "It was hardly an interrogation, daughter. I just needed to know a few things."

"It's not Adam's fault!" she barked, finally unable to handle the pressure of overly inquisitive parents. "I asked him to sleep with me. You and His Majesty are taking this way out of proportion. I even offered to move back to my chambers when His Majesty spoke to us this morning," she rambled on. "Please don't take it out on Adam!" she pleaded.

Adam's eyebrows shot up again in amusement as Duncan placed his hands on Teela's shoulders.

"Daughter, please calm yourself. I'm not taking anything out on Adam. I only needed some answers and we came to a simple understanding. I'm your father; I need to know what's happening in your life," he reassured with a smile then sobered. "I need to know what happened at the fortress. Are you ready to tell me?" he asked.

Teela glanced at the floor. "I think so. I talked to Adam a little and spoke to Irene which helped."

Duncan gave a nod as Adam cleared his throat.

"I've got to visit the King's Office to finish paperwork on the Sultaaen and Forsythian Treaty so I'll take my leave. Why don't you two have dinner alone?"

Teela and her father glanced at Adam and back at each other. "Sounds like a good idea to me. What do you think, daughter?"

Teela sniffled a bit and nodded in agreement.

"Okay. I'll see you later tonight, my love," Adam stated with a quick peck to her lips. He nodded at Duncan and left the room.

"That's a good man. Not many of the royalty would treat you with the respect he shows you."

Teela gave a small smile. "I know, Father. I'm lucky."

Duncan smiled. "Maybe you both are."

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Adam sat at the conference table in the King's Office signing papers offered by Randor's young assistant when the King suddenly came through the door prompting both of them to look up in surprise.

"Lady Holly, would you please give us a moment alone?" Randor asked.

"Certainly, My King," she replied with a curtsey and a smile at the Prince before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

Adam, without a word, slowly came to his feet and bowed.

Randor, still slightly miffed about their earlier confrontation and the fact that Adam told Duncan and not he the truth about last night misinterpreted the respectful act as sarcasm and barked, "Still playing the fool, Adam?"

Adam frowned. "No. Only giving you the respect you deserve…despite the fact you're not showing me any, Sir."

The King's eyes flashed. "You've got to earn respect, boy."

The Prince quirked an eyebrow. "So settling multiple treaties that were deemed hopeless, resolving the Carpasian marauder issue, and gaining additional territory for Eternos warrants no respect?" he asked sarcastically. The fact his father neglected to value any of these achievements frankly pained him.

Randor clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace. "Those things are expected, son. I'm referring to your actions in your personal affairs with regard to women," he replied.

Adam angrily clenched his jaw. "And those affairs would be?"

His father stopped and eyed him, his expression softening slightly. "Son, what is going on between you and Teela? Duncan told me you two talked today."

"We did, Sir."

"And?"

"And what?" Adam replied.

"You told Duncan what occurred last night yet you wouldn't answer me honestly this morning," Randor replied with a pained look in his eyes. "Why?"

"Because Duncan didn't barge into my room, order me around, and treat me like a criminal. He also told me he trusted me with his daughter," Adam replied, his features heavy with disappointment. "He also didn't allude to my being a 'playboy' as you did, Father."

"Adam, as Crown Prince you must be careful with your choices and how they may appear to others. Someday you are to take my place and I can't have Eternia questioning their leadership after I'm gone. Certainly you know that, son," Randor shot back.

"I do."

"Then why do you push the limit as you do? You run or disappear when trouble looms, you and Teela spend the night together…how else am I to react?"

Adam glanced at the floor then back into his father's eyes. "Sometimes, I'm faced with difficult choices and must make a decision that ensures physical protection and emotional health; not for me but for my loved ones," he answered cryptically. "Surely you understand that, Father?"

"Physical protection?" Randor repeated in confusion. "But when you run, aren't you saving yourself?"

Adam's nostrils flared in annoyance. "No."

"Then I don't understand, son."

"I can't help you understand, Father. You…," he glanced at the ceiling and back into the King's eyes with a sigh. "I guess you'll just have to trust me."

The King shook his head slowly. "You're putting me in a difficult position, boy."

"I know."

Father and son stared at each other for a moment until Adam broke the silence.

"Duncan said you were chasing demons? What may I ask is that about, Sir?"

Randor flinched and began pacing again. "I'm afraid that's none of your business, son," he dismissed with a wave of his hand, still pacing the floor nervously.

Adam's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Fine. Then I guess we're at a stalemate with both of us keeping secrets from one another, Sir. If I may take my leave?" he requested formally with a slight inclination of his head.

Randor stopped abruptly and snapped his head towards Adam in surprise. "For now," he said with another wave.

Adam angrily narrowed his gaze and inclined his head once again before leaving the room.

Randor, heavy with emotion, leaned over and palmed his large wooden desk, unsure about the future of his relationship with his son.