Helena hung up the phone excited and relieved that she would be seeing Alex, holding him, soon enough. She walked across her hotel suite and into the bedroom to pack her suitcase. Her thoughts wandered to Hans. She grabbed her phone and tried calling him again. Voicemail. Tears swelled in her eyes she knew something was wrong. Not knowing what else to do she called the number Clarisse called from, but it was disconnected. Damn, she yelled out as the tears escaped down her cheeks. Her phone ringing startled her, she picked up thinking it was Leo.

"I know you are behind this" James growled at her angrily.

"I don't know what you are accusing me of" She lied?

"You know damn well. You have no idea what you have done" He accused his anger increasing.

"I have not done anything. You on the other hand have a lot to be worried about" She reminded him.

"Do not forget that what happens to me, happens to our family" He threatened as he gripped his phone.

"Then you had better start cleaning up your messes" She hissed as she hung up on him. She sat on the phone the little energy she had draining from her body as she thought, where are you Hans?

A knock on her door made her walk over as she peeked out the hole, realizing who it was she opened it quickly.

"Antoinette" She said shocked to see her daughter.

"Where is my son" Antoinette demanded to know?

"He called you and you came here to do what exactly? Take Alex back to a dangerous situation" Helena snapped angrily.

"He is my son. Where is he" Antoinette rose her voice?

"Do not raise your voice to me" Helena warned.

Antoinette glared at her.

"He lied to you. I do not have Alex. Feel free and look around" Helena shook her head in disbelief.

Antoinette searched but came up empty.

"Where is he mother" She asked again?

"Why don't you ask your father? After all, you two have clearly been in this together the whole time" Helena said in firm tone but inside she was hurt, deeply hurt.

"Mother, I want to know where my son is. I am his mother. You cannot keep me from him" She demanded.

"I think you should go now" Helena replied as she walked over to the door and opened it.

Antoinette stormed out of the hotel room.

Helena closed the door as she leaned against it.

Security hub….

"What is all this" Shades asked confused and angry as he stared at all the security screens in disbelief?

"A virus. Our whole system is corrupted" The Palace IT lead programmer stated.

"What do we do now" One of the guards asked?

"We go back to basics. We have no cameras. Every guard on duty has to secure a section of the Palace" Shades replied but inside he realized he had to call Joseph.

"Bring me the schedule" Shades directed to one of the guards who did what he was told immediately, handing Shades the printed version of the schedule.

Shades perused the schedule. Once done he looked up and asked, "has anyone heard from Hans?"

They all shook their heads no.

"I have to make a call" Shades announced as he walked into his office. Shutting the door and sitting behind his desk he took out his phone and called Joe at the new number that was sent to him. He waited as it rang.

Across the Palace…

Pierre sat in his father office perusing some documents that needed to be reviewed when he came across a document that caught his interest. He began to read it and his curiosity grew then suddenly it came back to him why this all seemed so familiar. It was the trade deal that his parents had been working on. They had wanted the people to directly benefit from this and by the looks of the document a lot of the aristocrat wanted to change that. A sense of dread filled him as he thought maybe this is connected to the shooting. Needing to talk to someone he picked up the phone and called to speak with Motaz. He waited as the phone rang several times, he almost gave up when the phone was answered.

"Motaz residence" The butler answered professionally.

"Hello. This is…deciding it was best he use his title for once…the Crown Prince, is the Prime Minister available" Pierre asked as he cringed, but he was desperate to speak with him?

"Yes, of-course, Your Highness. I will inform him of your call" He replied efficiently as he made his way over the PM private home office.

"Thank you" Pierre replied as he waited patiently. After a few moments he was relived to hear Sebastian voice.

"Your Highness" Motaz answered surprised.

"Prime Minister. I must speak with you it is urgent. May we meet in the morning" Pierre asked?

"Yes of-course. Is it the King" Motaz asked nervously?

"No, father is the same" Pierre replied honestly.

"Very well. I will see you in the morning" Motaz agreed.

"Thank you. See you in the morning" Pierre replied as he hung up. Relieved, he looked at the document and skipped all the way to the end. He began to read all the non- supporters of the trade deal. Viscount Mabrey, Baron Von Troken, and a long list of other parliamentarians. Pierre felt his heart race as the sense of dread filled him again.

Lake House….

"Shades, is it the King" Joseph asked right away when he answered the call?

Clarisse sat beside Joseph anxiously.

Joe put it on speaker not wanting to keep secrets. He wanted her to have all the updates.

"No…Joe, we have no cameras" Shades admitted.

"What? What do you mean" Joseph asked disbelief?

Clarisse paled at the information she was hearing.

"There is a virus that has corrupted our entire security system. I…Joe…the Palace is not secure we are at high security risk" Shades replied nervously.

Joseph sighed deeply as he realized this could also be a set up maybe some how they found out he had taken Clarisse out of the Palace and they wanted her to return. The thought made him sick.

"Joseph…" Clarisse questioned the look on his face?

"This could be a trap" Joseph admitted deciding it was best for the three of them to discuss it.

"But…how would anyone know that Her Majesty isn't here" Shades wondered?

"I don't know but we can not rule it out" Joseph said as he looked at Clarisse.

"How much security do we have" Joseph asked dreading the answer?

"Our usual amount since we increased after the…incident" Shades admitted.

"Joseph…that is not enough to cover the entire Palace and it's grounds" Clarisse said beginning to panic.

"Shades continue to follow protocol. I need to think. I will call you back within the hour" Joe informed him.

"Alright boss" Shades agreed and then hung up.

"We have to go back" Clarisse insisted.

"Or we move Rupert and Pierre" Joseph said as he looked at her seriously.

"Rupert is in no condition to be transported anywhere. That could kill him" She said her eyes tearing.

"Please Clarisse don't get upset. I…I am doing my best to ensure everyone safety. I promise you" He reassured her wanting her to know he was not making decisions based on his love for her.

"I know. I am sorry. I…who is doing this" She sobbed terrified for her family?

Joseph took her in his arms wishing he knew what to do.

"What if that is their plan? What if they are waiting for you to move Rupert so they can try again" She asked her voice trembling?

"Clarisse…you were the target…remember" He said softly not wanting to frighten her but felt that in her grief she had forgotten that detail.

"Oh…right…but…what if they try to hurt him to get to me" She asked as her tearful eyes looked in to his?

"You are right. That could be a possibility" He replied honestly.

"What are we going to do? We can't leave him there with no security system" She whispered terrified.

"No, we can't" He agreed.

"We have to inform Pierre and Motaz" She said as her hands began to shake.

Joseph grasped her hands tightly trying to calm her. "I will, we will, I promise."

Palace….

Shades informed Charlotte and all the guards that the Palace was on lock down. Whoever was out stays out and whoever is in stays inside until further notice. All the guards agreed and then took their posts.

"What does Joe think" Charlotte asked nervously?

"He thinks it may be a ruse to get him to bring Clarisse back" He admitted.

"But who would know she isn't here" She asked taken aback?

"We don't know but he could be right" He agreed.

"Oh Shades…what are we going to do to keep the King safe" She asked?

"And not just the King" He looked at her with sympathy.

"What do you mean" She asked worried?

"Pierre. What if this is about him" He asked wishing he had thought of that when he was talking with Joe?

Charlotte paled at the thought.

"I have to go speak with him and inform him on what is going on. I hope Joe won't be upset but it can't wait" He said determined as he walked off leaving a terrified Charlotte behind.

King office….

Pierre continued to work although his mind was distracted on the trade deal. He had to continue to do his duty even though he was distracted. After a few minutes he was disrupted with a knock at the door.

"Come" He replied wondering who it could be?

"Shades is here he would like a moment Your Highness" His personal assistant informed him as he stood by the door.

"Yes, of-course. Send him in" Pierre replied as he wondered what was wrong?

Shades walked in and bowed.

"Your Highness there has been a development and I feel that you should be aware" Shades began hesitantly but he forced himself to get the words out. He truly hoped Joe and Clarisse would not be upset with him making this decision.

"Please continue" Pierre replied as he listened.

"Our security system has been corrupted by a virus. We have no working cameras" Shades admitted.

Pierre mouth fell open in shock.

"I have informed Joseph and the Queen" Shades continued.

"What does Joseph suggest" Pierre asked concerned for his father safety?

"He will be contacting me soon to inform me of next steps. I just feel you needed to know" Shades replied honestly. He admitted he felt better sharing the information with Pierre.

"I should check on father" Pierre replied nervously as he stood.

"The King is secure. I have guards outside of his door. The only people allowed in are the doctor and the nurse" Shades informed him.

"Thank you for that. I trust you but…I need to…" Pierre tried to find the words.

Shades observed how much Pierre hands shook with anxiety.

"Very well Your Highness. I will walk with you" Shades replied trying to not let on that he was worried more about him then the King.

"Thank you" Pierre replied as he walked out of the office. Shades and his personal bodyguard behind him.