A/N : Getting towards the end of this now, just this chapter and two more. Thanx for the latest reviews; Cassandra Anthemyst, ndblue123, Cordelia Osbourne (Diana/Phillippe stuff coming soon), Azkaban Canuck (2 more chapters after this one), MeLLoDraMatic, Starbright Moonlight, KrystinePotterLover, princessvampire, Jenna (not sure how I managed to get 203 reviews!) - you lot are the best and I'm so glad you're still reading this story and enjoying it.

Here's the next chapter...

(Disclaimer : see chapter 5)

Chapter 21 - The Return Home

Even with his injured leg, Lars was determined to be of some use to the Genovian royals. He was out of hospital just a few hours after he'd gone in and now he was sitting in the front entrance of the palace watching the security cameras. It was past four o'clock in the morning and the secret service agents had gone to check out the location that the prince was being held at over five hours ago.

What surprised Lars was not the fact that he saw a secret service vehicle return to the place but that he saw more than one. Quickly he was out of his seat and even with his injured leg he was out of the front door, checking the gun strapped across his body as he went.

"Jay? What on earth is going on?" he called as the first young man climbed out of the car.

"It's okay Lars, don't panic" Jay grinned back "I've brought someone to see you..." he stepped aside to reveal his couisn.

"Phillippe!" the security guard was shocked but none the less over the moon to see the young prince home safely. He wrapped the boy in a hug.

"Hi Lars" Phillippe manged to say as his friend and protector nearly squeezed all the air from his body.

"What happened?" Lars asked, letting go of Phillippe and looking between the two boys and the secret service agents.

"Seems this young man couldn't let us do our job alone" the first agent told him.

"Are you both okay?" Lars checked.

"Yes, we're fine" the prince assured him, "just a little tired"

"Then come on in" he said, ushering them toward the door and inside the palace. "your parents are frantic with worry" he told Phillippe "and Jay, do your parents even know you've gone?"

"Not exactly..." the boy admitted.

"I think you both have some explanations for your families" Lars looked worryingly stern, but his expression cracked to reveal a smile "but I'm just so glad you're both okay"

"Lars, what's going on?"

A female voice came from mid way up the stair case. All three guys looked up to see Mia.

"Phillippe!" she cried noticing her son and running down the last few remaining steps, closley followed by her husband.

"Hey Mom, Dad" Phillippe smiled as both his parents hugged him tightly.

"Oh thank God your safe" his mother cried, holding him tighter still.

"All thanks to Jay" Phillippe nodded toward the other boy.

"Jay? What do you mean?" Michael asked his son before turning to his nephew "Do your parents know you've been out?"

"Er, no..." the boy answred nervously "but I think they're about to find out..."

"Mia, Michael, what's going on?" Lilly appeared next with Boris at her side.

"Lilly! Phillippe's back!" Mia said joyously, tears of sheer relief and happiness falling down her face.

"Oh thank God..." Lilly cried, as she and her husband hurried down the stairs, it was only as she reached the bottom she noticed her own son there "Jay what are you doing up and dressed at this hour of the morning?"

Jay smiled and sighed.

"It's a long story Mom, but before I tell you, please promise me you won't freak out..."

"I can't believe you did that Jay" his mother was beyond shock about the whole thing.

"You have got to be the bravest and possibly the stupidest boy on the planet...but I'm very proud of you son" Boris smiled, putting one arm around his sons shoulders.

"Yes, Jay, thankyou for bringing our son home" Mia smiled at her nephew.

"It's okay, I didn't do it for the praise or to be the hero" he said honestly "I just wanted to make sure my cousin was safe and..." he trailed off.

"And?" Michael prompted.

"And, well, you were all so worried and I couldn't stand everyone being upset" he said "especially Diana..." he added quietly, but loud enouigh that everyone heard anyway.

"Do Diana and Jackie even know you're back, Phillippe?" Nina asked. She and Laura, as well as Helen, Frank, Holly and the baby Lilly, had also been awoken by the noise downstairs and had joined the rest of the family in the main sitting room.

"I guess not" he said, thoughtfully.

"Oh yes, I should call them" Lars realised, "but I'm afraid they may wish to come over if I do. Will that be okay your majesty?" he asked the Queen.

"Of course, Lars" she smiled. "Please, call them, right now".

A/N : Just two chapters left so it should be all done by Christmas. Please review this chapter and I'll post again very soon.