Annalise sat in the Men's Parlor waiting for news of Jeffrey's condition. The kids, to distract themselves started playing a game of tag. Greg sat down beside Annalise as they watched the kids play.
"Do you know what happened, exactly?" Greg asked as Joel approached. Joel sat on the other side of Annalise.
"I've reviewed the footage from the boardroom," Annalise said as she teared up. "They put a gun to Jeffrey's head while they were talking to Atticus, I guess he wouldn't back down, so they shot him in the arm, that's when he started to take negotiations seriously…they shot the rebels through the window, first killing the one who had the gun to Jeffrey's head, then the ringleader followed by the third rebel…" she trailed off.
Joel wrapped an arm around Annalise, "I can't believe Atticus let him get shot…he's his grandfather for Christ's sake!"
"Was Atticus really more concerned with protecting the castes than his grandson and heir?" Greg asked in amazement.
"Apparently," Annalise said bitterly as a guard approached.
"Your son's awake, Your Majesty." he said as he bowed.
Annalise shot to her feet and turned to Joel, "Can you keep an eye on Callum? I need to see Jeffrey."
"Of course," Joel agreed.
"I'll come with you," Greg offered.
Annalise nodded as she left the room with Greg following close behind her. In the hallway they saw Atticus walking towards the hospital wing. Annalise marched right up to him and cut him off.
"My son got shot because of your selfish, intolerant ass!" Annalise hissed, she drew her hand back and slapped him across the face.
Atticus stared at Annalise, stunned, "It was a delicate situation, Annalise."
"They had a gun at your grandson's head, and you couldn't try to save him?" Greg asked angrily. "I would take a bullet to the crotch before I let someone point a gun at my daughter."
"I don't expect you to understand this, but Illéa is a fragile society held in place by the monarchy and the caste system. Any threat to it would undermine our delicate balance and cause our society to collapse, Darren lost his life for this cause, and I was not about to let his death be in vain." Atticus said sharply.
"Damn the castes, your heir's life was at stake!"
"I suppose it's a good thing you're not in charge, then. I doubt very much they would have murdered a child. The crown does not make a habit of negotiating with terrorists," Atticus said in a patronizing tone.
"The crown clearly does have a habit of letting children get shot." Greg retorted.
"He survived, didn't he?" Atticus questioned.
"Because the guards got to him in time. You clearly value the castes more than the life of your heir!"
"It's easy to point out faults for a situation that you weren't there for, Greg. If I conceded to their requests think of the chaos that would ensure, the countless lives lost to a civil war when all hell breaks loose." Atticus said, trying to reason with the military veteran.
"Look, I am a devoted monarchist, and I will give my life for the monarchy to endure…but these castes, the cons clearly outweigh any pro that they offer."
Atticus sighed, "You're a military man and I can respect that, Greg, but you're clearly out of your depth when it comes to politics, I suggest you stick to what you know. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pay my grandson a visit."
"Stay the hell away from my son," Annalise hissed angrily.
Atticus sighed, "I have a right to see my grandson."
"You lost that right the moment you got him shot," Annalise countered.
"You can't stop me from seeing him, and I think you forget just whom the guards report to. Now, if you'll excuse me." Atticus said, then walked away from the two.
Annalise followed after him and Greg followed after Annalise, not wanting to leave her alone with the former monarch.
Jeffrey sat up in his hospital bed, he glanced at the IV taped to his hand, supplying him with much needed pain medication. His right arm was in a sling with bandages where the bullet wound was. He couldn't believe that his grandfather let him get shot, all over the stupid castes. The door to the room opened and Atticus stepped in, followed by Annalise and Greg.
Jeffrey glared at his grandfather, "Get out." He snapped.
"Jeffrey, allow me to explain-"
"I don't care what you have to say, get out!" Jeffrey yelled.
Annalise sighed, "You're upsetting him, Atticus, just leave."
"After what happened, Jeffrey has every right to be upset," Greg said. "You should just go."
Atticus sighed and placed a hand on Jeffrey's shoulder, "We'll talk later."
Jeffrey glared at Atticus as he left the room. Annalise rushed towards Jeffrey and wrapped her arms around him. Jeffrey hugged his mom with his good arm started crying. Greg stepped out of the room while Annalise ran her hands through Jeffrey's hair.
"It's okay, you're safe now," she said soothingly.
"Yeah, until the next rebel attack," Jeffrey said bitterly, wiping his eyes with his good hand.
Annalise sighed as she sat at Jeffrey's bedside, "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah, I'm okay…" Jeffrey trailed off in a pained voice.
"I'm sorry about Atticus," Annalise said softly.
"He knew about the attack," Jeffrey said angrily. "He knew and he did nothing."
"Jeffrey, are you sure-"
"The leader, Lena said that he warned them this would happen," Jeffrey said.
"Why would he put all these innocent lives at risk?" Annalise questioned, stunned.
"I don't know…" Jeffrey trailed off.
"He won't be regent for very much longer, I can assure you of that," Annalise said. "Get some rest, okay? I'll be by to check on you in a little bit. I have to go see Callum."
"Okay," Jeffrey agreed.
Annalise kissed him on the head, then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her. She was relieved to see Atticus gone and Greg waiting outside.
"How is he?" Greg asked.
"He's shaken up, but he'll be okay." Annalise replied as she ran her hands through her hair. "Atticus knew about the attack."
Greg raised his eyebrows, "What?"
"Jeffrey told me, apparently their leader warned him this would happen," Annalise said bringing a hand to her temple. "I'm so sorry he put your daughter in danger."
"It's not your fault, it's his." Greg insisted. "Forgive me, but you seem to have bad luck with regents."
"I can assure you of one thing, this one won't be sticking around," Annalise said firmly.
"What are you going to do?" Greg asked.
Annalise sighed, "You'll see."
Annalise stormed into Atticus's office, where he sat swarmed by advisors. He glanced up at Annalise, surprised to see her in his office.
"Annalise, is there something I can help you with?" Atticus questioned as he dismissed his advisors with a wave of his hand.
"You're going to step down as regent." Annalise said firmly, placing her hands on her hips.
"And why would I do that?" Atticus questioned as he stood.
"Because if you don't, I'm going to the media and telling them that you knew about the attack and did nothing to prevent it," Annalise said. She glared at Atticus, "You put countless lives at risk, and for what? To prove a point to some rebels?!"
"The crown does not negotiate with terrorists, Annalise, you're far too soft to be regent." Atticus said as he adjusted his tie. "We took security measures-"
"That clearly weren't enough! You got my son shot because you refused to negotiate with them, you almost got him killed!" Annalise yelled. "I have no qualms against releasing that footage to the public!"
Atticus sighed, "You can't do a better job at running this country than I can."
"I can sure as hell try," Annalise said firmly.
"You won't release that tape, I'll have it destroyed," Atticus said.
"I've already made a copy, Atticus," Annalise said. "You will announce your return to retirement on this night's Report."
"Fine," Atticus said. "Is that all?"
"And you stay away from my sons," Annalise said.
"Whatever you say, Annalise." Atticus said with a sigh.
Annalise turned on her heel and left the room with a triumphant smile on her face. Finally, Illéa would have a regent who would put the needs of the people first.
Greg knocked, then entered Jeffrey's hospital room. He approached the bed and sat on the seat next to it.
"Are you okay?" Greg asked.
"I'll be fine," Jeffrey said quietly, and Greg could sense he was lying.
"You know Jeffrey, it's okay to not be fine sometimes." Greg said. "I wish someone had told me that sooner, would have saved me a lot of grief."
Jeffrey looked away, "When's my mom coming back?"
"Soon, I think she's handling something," Greg said. "Your grandfather was wrong for what he did, he shouldn't have let you get shot."
"Yeah…I know," Jeffrey said quietly. "They're just gonna attack again and again until they get what they want."
"I know," Greg said grimly.
"My grandfather won't do anything about it," Jeffrey said bitterly.
"I'm sorry, Jeffrey," Greg said.
"I think I just wanna be alone…" Jeffrey trailed off.
Greg nodded, "I'll tell your mom you asked about her." He said as he stood.
"Thanks," Jeffrey said as he laid back down in bed.
Joel was watching Callum and the kids play, though he could tell that Callum's heart wasn't quite into it. Joel approached Callum and pulled the kid aside.
"How's Jeffrey doing?" Callum asked.
"He's stable and awake, which mean he's going to make it," Joel explained.
"Can I go see him?" Callum asked.
Joel nodded, "Let's go see your brother."
Callum nodded and held onto Joel's hand as they walked to the hospital wing. Joel figured the kids would be fine under the careful watch of guards and servants. When they got to the hospital wing, Greg was just leaving Jeffrey's room.
"How is he?" Callum asked as he approached Greg.
"He's okay," Greg lied. "I'm sure he'd love to see you." He said, sensing that the boy needed to be with his family right now.
"Let's go in." Joel said.
"I'll go watch the kids," Greg said.
"Thanks," Joel said with a nod. He led Callum into Jeffrey's room in the hospital wing. Callum frowned at the sight of Jeffrey hooked up to various machines.
"Why are there so many wires?" Callum asked.
"They're just to make sure that your brother's okay," Joel said.
"Hey," Callum said to Jeffrey.
"Hey," Jeffrey said.
Callum sat on the chair beside the bed and Joel leaned in the doorway.
"Does it hurt?" Callum asked.
Jeffrey shook his head, "I have medicine for the pain."
"Good," Callum said. "That was a really scary attack, I'm glad you're okay."
"Me too," Jeffrey said. He patted the spot next to him on the bed and Callum climbed into bed beside him.
Joel smiled as he watched the two brothers talk. He spotted Annalise approaching and left the room.
"Hey," Joel said. "You've got one tough kid."
"Thanks," Annalise said. She sighed, "He shouldn't have to be this tough, Atticus was way out of line, but the good news is that he just stepped down as regent."
"How did you pull that off?" Joel asked.
Annalise smiled, "I may have threatened to go to the media."
"Good, I think you should either way, teach him a lesson," Joel said. "He could have gotten Jeffrey killed."
"He could have gotten everyone killed," Annalise said. "He knew about the attack, Jeffrey told me."
"He knew?" Joel asked angrily. "And he just let it happen?"
"He claims he took security measures," Annalise said bitterly.
"How could he just put all of our lives at risk like that?" Joel asked angrily. "My children and I could have gotten killed! Your son nearly died!"
"I don't know, I honestly don't know what he was thinking," Annalise answered. She ran a hand through her hair, watching Jeffrey and Callum talk and laugh through the glass door. "How is he doing?" She asked, to change the topic.
"As well as can be expected," Joel replied. "The other kids are doing fine, too. I have a feeling they'll be shaken up for a while."
"If you kids need therapy of any kind let me know, the crown will cover all expenses," Annalise said.
Joel nodded, "I'll let them know that's an option. So, what are you going to do now that you're regent?"
"The first thing I'm going to do is negotiate with the rebels, properly, and with Jeffrey present so he can see how it's done," Annalise said. "It's time the castes came to an end, I pleaded with Darren to end them, but it did me little good."
Joel smiled, "I think you're going to be a good regent, and it sounds like Jeffrey's going to learn a lot from you."
"Thank you." Annalise said with a smile. She kissed Joel on the cheek. "I should go check in on my son."
"Of course," Joel said.
Joel watched as Annalise went into Jeffrey's room, he closed the door behind her then left the Schreave family to their own devices.
Later that evening Joel visited Jeffrey in the infirmary when Annalise took a break to put Callum to bed. Joel entered the room and sat in the chair beside Jeffrey.
"How are you doing?" Joel asked.
"I'm fine," Jeffrey lied, wishing that everyone would stop asking him that. He wasn't fine, he was a mess if he was being honest, but he didn't want to get into it.
Joel nodded, sensing the boy was just trying to be strong.
"How's Cypress?" Jeffrey asked.
"He's okay, a little shaken up, he's not quite used to rebel attacks," Joel explained. Joel sighed, "What your grandfather did was beyond wrong, he never should put your life on the line like that."
"I know," Jeffrey said. He glanced over at Joel, "He knew about the attack, he knew what they were planning and he just…let it happen. How could he do that?"
"I don't know, Jeffrey," Joel said honestly. "The important thing is that you're safe, and that your mother's regent now."
Jeffrey sighed and closed his eyes, "I can't believe the castes are more important to him than my own life."
"I can't begin to comprehend it myself," Joel said. "My advice? Just stay away from him, even if you talk to him, you won't get the answers that you want to hear."
Jeffrey nodded, "Thanks. I don't really have anything to say to him. Besides, I doubt my mom will let me near him again."
Joel chuckled, "I don't think you're going to see him again, either." He said, then stood. "You should try and get some rest."
"I'll try," Jeffrey agreed.
Joel gave Jeffrey's shoulder a light squeeze on his way out of the room. When he left Annalise was on her way in and he stopped to talk to her.
"How's he doing?" Annalise asked.
"He's staying strong, but I think he'll really need you in the next little while," Joel replied. "But we both know how good he is at reaching out for help."
"I wish he would open up more," Annalise said. "I have his therapist coming tomorrow."
"That's good, he'll need someone to talk to," Joel said. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm…I'm okay, I think I've been too busy to really think about it," Annalise replied. "What about you? How are you doing with all of this?"
"As well as can be expected," Joel replied honestly. He pulled Annalise in for a hug, which she immediately returned.
"I just can't believe this happened," Annalise said as tears welled in her eyes. "Thank you, for staying."
"Of course, Annalise," Joel said. He kissed the top of her head. "I have to go check on my kids, but I'll see you later."
Annalise nodded and watched as Joel disappeared down the hallway. She decided to say goodnight to Jeffrey, but when she went to his room, he was fast asleep. She kissed the top of his head then left the room. She knew he would be safe in the infirmary, she wanted to spend the night with him, but she had too much to do in the morning and didn't want to oversleep.