Security hub…
"Shades, we should talk" Joe added as he gestured for them to sit.
Shades sat but remained silent.
"You have every right to be upset with me. I should have told you everything when I first found out" Joe admitted.
"Yes, you should have. I was here trying to defend the Palace and you left me blinded" Shades ground out, his anger and disappointment clear on his face.
"I have no excuse" Joe replied not wanting to make any excuses.
"Joe…I am saying this because I am very, concerned. Hans was right. Your feelings, for Her Majesty is a problem." Let me finish, he stated knowing Joe was ready to lash out.
Joe angrily nodded his head in agreement.
"Her Majesty safety is the priority of all of us not just you. You let your feelings get in the way that is why you did not fill me in. You were on the run with her and the only thing you were thinking of was her." Shades stated matter of fact. He did not want to avoid this much longer. It needed to be said and this would probably be the only time he would have to say it.
Joe looked angry but instead of lashing out he paused. He knew this was not someone he had to lie to. Shades was his friend, and he would never use his feelings for Clarisse against him.
"Joe…I know how much she means to you but, you have to find a way to be Head of Palace Security first. Hans may never recover or return to his Palace duties. You are next in line. This can't happen again" Shades warned him.
"You are right. I did let my fear for her safety cloud my judgement. I will do better" Joe replied seriously.
"I'm here to help in whatever way I can" Shades reassured him.
"I know you are. I am sorry. It won't happen again" Joe promised.
"It better not because if it does, you owe me that secret bottle of scotch you have hidden in your room" Shades said with a smile trying to lighten the conversation.
Joe laughed as he shook his head. Reaching out his hand he asked, "friends?"
"Always" Shades replied as the two men shook hands.
King suite…
Clarisse sat in the chair wiping at the tears that fell with a tissue. A hand touched her shoulder as she turned it was Pierre.
"Hi" She smiled weakly.
"Mother…are you alright" Pierre asked concerned?
"Yes, I…I'm just worried" She admitted.
"Should I call Phillippe home" Pierre asked wanting to support her as he feared maybe his father would not recover after all?
"Not yet. I will call him. We need to talk first" She replied with a sigh.
"He would want to be here for you and father" Pierre said concerned that his mother was purposely excluding his brother because Helen is pregnant, and they are not married.
"I know that. I just want them to be safe and Genovia is not safe right now" She explained.
"Then tell him that mother. He is hurting a lot and he needs to hear that" Pierre said as kindly as he could reaching out and holding his mother hand.
Tears fell from her eyes, but she did not reply.
Pierre sat with her in silence but, inside he was really worried about his mother and their family.
Security hub….
"Boss, we have eyes on Lady Antoinette father, and he is in route to what appears to be the marina" A security informed Shades and Joseph.
"I'm going after him" Joe spoke up determined to get his hands on the man or one of the men behind the attempt on Clarisse life.
"I'm going with you then" Shades replied quickly.
The guard looked petrified that both bosses would be out of the Palace at the same time.
"The military is here now nothing to fear" Joseph reassured him.
The guard shook his head in understanding.
"Let's go" Joe said to Shades as he grabbed his keys.
Shades communicated with the staff that they were now under the direction of the Commander and that no one is allowed in or out of the Palace without his permission.
On the way to the garage Shades looked at Joe and asked, "should we inform Her Majesty?"
"Yes but, I don't want him getting away" Joe said not knowing what to do.
"I'll call Charlotte. I'm sure she is close by" Shades suggested as they got into the car.
Pyrus…
After giving herself a few moments to cry, Helena proceeded with her routine and then got into her car and drove to the Trauma Center. She wanted, needed to see Hans. James's threat had scared her prompting her to check on Hans and make sure that he was okay and protected. Antoinette cruel words echoed in her mind replaying itself. She could not believe that her daughter hated her this much. Had she really been such a terrible mother? Pulling up the hospital she parked and then walked quickly toward the entrance. Reporters approached her as she cursed under her breath. The last thing she needed was to be on gossip tabloids, but this was more important.
"Are you here to visit the Palace Head of Security" One reported yelled out as they crowded her?
Helena remained silent she continued to walk and kept her facial features at rest. She knew better then to give them something to write about.
"Will Lady Antoinette and the Crown Prince come to visit" Another reported yelled out?
"Will Her Majesty" Another reported yelled out?
Helena remained silent as she walked inside the building. The reporters staying outside since Palace security was at the front doors and would not let them in. Helena let out a frustrated sigh as she made her way up to the floor that he was located at. She exited the elevator and approached the Palace security guards that were there.
"How is he today" Helena asked hopeful?
"He is awake ma'am" A guard replied.
"Hans…how are you feeling" Helena asked as she approached his bed?
"Helena…better" He smiled as he looked at her fondly.
She sat beside him, her hands on her lap.
"How are you" He asked concerned by the tiredness on her face?
"Well…Antoinette hates me…" She admitted, her eyes tearing.
"She does not hate you. She may be angry with you but, that is only because she does not understand all that you have done for her" He said wanting to reassure her.
"She feels betrayed me. She does not understand that Alex can not be here. Not now. This country is not ready to hear the truth no matter what Arthur Mabrey is telling her" She said shaking her head in anger.
"I agree with you. It is dangerous for Alex. I wish I could help" He said honestly as he reached out his hand to her wanting to offer support to the woman he loved, had always loved.
Helena knew she should not take his hand. As much as she loved him, she was married and, it would be improper to hold hands with someone who is not her husband. But she was tired of pretending. She did not love James. She married him because it was what her parent's thought was best and she tried to make it work and when he asked her, she agreed to have his son but when she realized it was a girl, she knew deep in her heart she could not bring another child into a loveless marriage.
"Don't be afraid" Hans said as he noticed her hesitation.
Helena slipped her hand in his.
"It will be alright, I promise you" Hans whispered as he squeezed her hand tight.
"I worry for her. I don't want my daughter getting hurt" She whispered as her eyes teared once again.
"Once I get out of here, I will make sure she does not" He promised.
Helena looked into his eyes, saw the love and stated, "please do not challenge James and Arthur. They did this to you. It's my fault for not cooperating."
"I am proud of you. You did the right thing by not cooperating. I will recover and when I do, they will pay for what they have done" He promised.
Palace….
Charlotte was on her way with tea for Clarisse when her phone rang. She placed the tray down and answered.
"Charlotte…it's me" Shades spoke seriously.
"What's wrong" She asked worried?
"Joe and I have a lead and we left the Palace to pursue it. Please tell Her Majesty that the Commander is in charge and we will be back as soon as possible" Shades said honestly.
"You two left alone. Shades, why not involve the military or at least the Police" She asked the fear spreading through her body?
"That is too much attention. We don't want him to run off" Shades admitted.
"Please be careful. Clarisse will kill you if something happens to Joe" She said without thinking.
Shades chuckled and said, "don't I know it."
"Take care of her" Joe said worry in his voice.
"I will Joe. I promise" Charlotte said instantly. She loved Clarisse and would never let anything happen to her.
"We have to go. If it's an emergency call but we want to keep things silent otherwise" Shades informed her.
"I understand" Charlotte said placing the phone back in her pocket once Shades hung up. With a deep breath she steadied herself, picked up the tea tray and made her way to Clarisse.
Pyrus….
Arthur Mabrey stood in the waiting area of the Prime Minister office with determination. He had no intention of leaving until he got what he came for.
"The PM will see you now" The secretary informed him as he led the way to the office.
Sebastian was standing when Arthur walked in.
"You may leave us" Sebastian informed his secretary.
The secretary shut the door softly on her way out.
"Arthur what brings you here" Sebastian asked to the point? He had not time for games.
"Military escort without the approval of Parliament" Arthur fumed.
"Her Majesty is the Commander in Chief of our Military, have you forgotten" Sebastian stated smugly. He tried his best to remain neutral, but he believed Arthur was behind the assassination attempt of King Rupert, his friend and that he would not be neutral about.
"Surely she must seek the approval of Parliament before parading down the streets of Genovia" Arthur raged, his face going red.
"She is defending Genovia and our King" Sebastian emphasized as he stared into Arthur Mabrey eyes.
"I demand an emergency Parliament meeting" Arthur insisted.
"Request denied" Sebastian stated with pleasure.
"I will go to the press" Arthur threatened.
"You do that" Sebastian replied calmly.
Arthur glared at the PM with an intense hate in his eyes.
"I have a full day Arthur, is there anything else" Sebastian asked effectively ending their meeting?
Arthur walked out leaving the door open without another word.
Sebastian picked up the phone and contacted the Palace. He had to warn Clarisse.
Palace…
"Sebastian, I was told by Charlotte this was an emergency. What's happened" Clarisse asked nervously?
"Arthur Mabrey was here. He plans to go to the press to tell them that you are abusing your power as Queen" Sebastian admitted.
"Part of his plan to overthrow us" Clarisse fumed angrily.
"He intends to cause unrest. We cannot let him. You must address the people before he does" Sebastian suggested.
"I will have Charlotte arrange it as soon as possible. Thank you, Sebastian for everything" Clarisse said appreciatively.
"I stand with you always Your Majesty" Sebastian said genuinely.
Clarisse smiled, her eyes tearing. It meant a great deal to her that she had his support.
"Rupert would be so proud of you for standing up to Arthur" Clarisse admitted.
"I know he would be. I do not know how he ever dealt with him, but you know he had his way. How is Rupert" Sebastian asked worried?
"He woke up but…she sighed…he had chest pain and needed to be sedated again" Clarisse said her voice sad but shaky.
"I'm so sorry. I have been thinking of him. This is only a set- back. He will pull through" Sebastian said trying to be positive.
"It will be a long recovery and he cannot have stress. What am I going to do to ensure that this mess with Arthur doesn't upset him" Clarisse asked?
"We will handle Arthur. I promise you" Sebastian insisted.
"Very well, I am going to work on my speech now" Clarisse informed him as she felt better knowing she had his support.
"I look forward to hearing it" Sebastian said hoping it would give her confidence.
Clarisse hung up, sighed and took out stationary paper from her desk. She had taken the call in her office rather then with Rupert as she did not want to upset him in case he awoke during the call.
My Fellow Genovians…. she began to write.
Marina…
Antoinette waited at the agreed upon location for her father. She was still upset but the tears had long stopped. Her mother betrayed her in the worst way. Everything was wrong now. She had no idea what they were going to do but she knew she could never go back to the Palace. She lost the opportunity to ensure a place for her son and it was her own mother fault. A car pulled up beside her and she noticed her father. She got out of the car as he did, and they met in a hug. She could not wait to see Alex. She hoped that her father did not hurt Leo. She still cared for him deeply and did not want any harm to come to him.
"Where is Alex" She asked as she looked in the back of the empty car?
"I don't' know. I am sorry. Leo would not talk" He admitted.
"No, Alex…" She whispered as tears formed in her eyes.
"I'm sure he is alright. Leo would not hurt him" He reminded her.
"I want my son" She cried.
"We will find him it will just take longer than I thought" He reassured her.
"Why did she do this" Antoinette asked her voice filled with anger and confusion? She blamed her mother for them having to leave without Alex.
"Don't worry about that anymore. I spoke with her. She knows what will happen if something happens to us" James reassured her.
Antoinette looked into his eyes and said, "she doesn't care about us only him…. Hans" she sobbed as the tears came fast and hard.
James frowned at his daughter as he realized how much Helena had just hurt their girl.
Her cell phone rang disrupting them. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered with an angry, "what do you want?"
James watched her and by the look on her face he realized who was calling.
"I want you to be safe" Helena whispered as her heart constricted from the harsh sound of her daughter words.
"You want me gone you mean. You just want my son. You never wanted me" Antoinette cried as she wiped at her face furiously.
"That is not true. I love you" Helena said hoping her daughter would believe her, but she knew she would not.
Angrily, Antoinette turned and looked out toward the water. The tears came again making her shoulders shake. She wanted to call her mother a liar, but she could not speak. All she felt in that moment was a deep ache in her heart.
James reached out and took the phone from her. "What do you want Helena" James asked as he placed a hand on his daughter shoulder?
"James listen to me. I want you to wait for me. Please. Don't take my daughter" Helena begged.
"You have twenty minutes" James said firmly then hung up.
"Twenty minutes for what" Antoinette asked once the tears stopped.
"Your mother wants to leave with us" He admitted.
Antoinette turned and faced him, her face a mix of suspicion and hope.
"We won't wait a second longer" He said adamant as he led her to the family yacht.
Joseph and Shades arrived just in time to see them board the yacht.
"What do you want to do" Shades asked?
"We confront them and arrest them for treason" Joseph said determined as both men exited the vehicle.
Antoinette sat as she looked out at the water. It was calming but she did not feel calm. She felt a tide of emotions swirling around inside of her.
"I know that she is hard to understand but your mother does love you" James said as he sat beside her.
"She always wanted a son" Antoinette said as she continued to look out at the water.
"Yes, we both did but we love you too" He tried to reassure her.
"She does not. She never has. I see how she looks at me" She whispered.
James sighed deeply and deciding to take a chance he admitted, "your mother lost a baby, a boy. He would have been Alex age."
Antoinette looked at her father in shock.
"That was why she never visited you in Germany. She could not look at Alex without remembering" He said honestly.
"Why didn't she tell me" She asked feeling sad for her mother?
"I don't know. She never wanted to talk about it. Not even with me" He said as he stood up and began to pace.
"But he was your son" She said confused.
"What was that" He asked when he heard a noise?
"Maybe it's mother" She said as she went up the stairs. Her father behind her.
"Joseph…." She said shocked to see him standing there with his gun drawn and pointed at her!