Chapter 15: Heading Home, to Intense Conversations

Mary smiled as she rested her head back against the pillow, a small content sigh escaping past her lips. She knew he wouldn't forgive himself that easily, but she also knew that he would calm down much more when they could leave the hospital.

About forty five minutes later the doctor came back into the room, slipping beneath the curtain and making his way over to the opposite side of Mary's bed. "Alright, you're free to take her home. Just be sure you keep an eye on her, wake her every hour for the next three hours. When you're sure that she will wake on her own, feel free to allow her to get a full nights rest. Some pain medication has been prescribed, and it was just a concussion to the head. CT Scan was normal, showed no signs of internal bleeding." He said, before handing Bash the paper with Mary's prescription on it. "Take care, the discharge papers have already been signed and completed. Feel free to take her home now." With that he turned and left the room.

Mary looked over at Bash, "Can you take me home now? Please?" She asked him, sitting up as she looked at the IV in her arm while the nurse walked in and removed it quickly enough. Mary rubbed her arm where the IV had been inserted, and than looked at Bash as she grabbed her coat and bag. "Please Sebastian...I want to go home..." She said, reaching for his hand.

He instantly took hold of her hand as he helped her to her feet. He took her coat and bag from her, helping her arms into the sleeves before returning her bag to her and pulling her to his side.

He had let go of her hand only when they had to pass the nurse's station to make it to the parking lot; as soon as they made it to the car, he helped her into the front passenger, before going around to the driver side door and slipping inside himself. He drove with one hand on the wheel, and the other intertwined with her own. He urged her to sleep on the ride home, but he didn't insist too strongly; he personally felt as if she had slept long enough in the hospital.

Twice he stopped on their way; once to stop by a gas station to refill the gas tank and buy water for Mary to take her medicine, and the second time for food as he knew she hadn't eaten, ("Well, Your Grace, curly fries or steak burgers?"). It was quite frequent that he'd glance at her from the corner of his eye and bring her hand to his lips.

As Mary requested, when they finally arrived back at the castle - at almost five p.m. - he drove the Nissan into the back garage. He flashed the headlights at the wall once, then waited as the platform lowered them to the basement. After parking the altima, Bash escorted Mary the elevator that would take them to a small aclove hidden in shadow near the foyer. Very carefully, still holding her hand, albeit loosely, he led them up the steps and right to Mary's door.

"Stay here and get some rest for now," he said, "I've got to deal with a couple things and report to the King. Even though I'd rather stay with you."

He squeezed her hand once more before letting go, "I'll text you?" he asked hesitantly, unwilling to leave her side but knowing he had no choice.

Mary gave a small nod, not wanting him to go but knowing that it was necessary. "Please don't be long. ." She knew she had no right to ask that, but she did anyways partly because of all that had happened. She looked at him, doing her best to put a brave smile upon her features.

She gave his hand a small squeeze leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. She was tired, and would probably lay down until his return. She reluctantly released his hand and took a tentative step inside her room. Her gaze locked with his, a small frown formed upon her face.

Things needed to happen, and he needed to go report on what had happened at school. And he would also want to go see those men who had done this. She knew that he would want to go and see those people, get his answers and whatever else he needed to do to them.

"Tomorrow night. .are we cancelling that. .?" She asked, her frown only growing as she hoped that just because of what happened he wouldn't cancel their date.

His eyes flickered to her injuries and back to her expression. Brushing his knuckles gently across her right cheek, Bash said, "We can discuss that when I see you later, okay?" He gave her a gentle smile. "You should focus mainly on getting well rested."

"Just don't be gone too long? Please. ." Mary murmured, lifting her hand to catch hold of his as she frowned slightly. Yes, she was injured, but she was alive still. She didn't want to cancel the one night she was most looking forward to, "I'll get some rest. ." She said softly, offering him a small smile.

At the sound of her unease, Bash stepped in close to her, moving them further into the threshold of her bedroom. He kissed her, holding her face carefully in his hands.

"I know," he whispered against her lips, responding to the things he knew she was trying her hardest not to say. His lips left a trail of kisses up her nose and on her forehead as he continued, "but I'm right here. You're home. You're safe. I'll only be a few feet away; there's nowhere here that I won't be able to reach you."

He rested his forehead against hers. "I know it's hard, but I need you to bear with it for a little while. I need you to show me you'll be strong, Baby, or I won't be able to leave this spot," he professed gently. "It's hard to leave you - in the state I'm in, especially - when you look and sound how you are right now."

Mary understood, and she brought her hands up to hold his. She kissed him back before pulling away, she looked right into his eyes. "I can manage, a shower and some rest will help."

While she wanted to beg him to stay, she knew he had business to finish up. Things had to be taken care of, lest people continued to busy themselves in what had happened to her. She put on her bravest smile, despite how vulnerable she was feeling right now.

"I'll see you soon." She said, hoping that her voice and appearance were coming off stronger then she knew she presently was right now.

Bash smiled at her determination. "That's my girl," he said gently. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

He walked away with reluctance, every part of him unprepared for what he knew was coming to him. His hands were still shaking. He was still reeling, as if he was still trying to save her.

He walked to the end of the hall and to an elevator behind a red door. There were only two floors it led to. He hit the button for the fourth floor.

Barely fifteen seconds later, he was less than ten feet away from the throne room. He rolled his shoulders and flexed his fingers, trying to ease the tension he felt.

The closer he came to the door, the louder the voices on the other side were. Or, more correctly, voice. Bash inhaled to ready himself.

In front of the door, the security detail straightened to attention when they saw him, addressing him as they moved aside to let him through. Although he dreaded the meeting he was about to find himself in, he opened the doors to the throne room without hesitation.

"...How in the hell did English operatives infiltrate the school and almost kidnap my daughter? Well, Henry?"

"Marie, our intelligence suggests there was someone working on the inside."

"Your so called intelligence never once bothered to background check the British students and staff to make sure that there were no threats?"

"We don't break the privacy rights of civilians without due cause, Marie."

"They're British! That is due cause enough!"

"Marie, the British have been our allies for quite some time now. This is no longer the sixteenth century."

"If we were allies, then why would they kidnap my daughter?" Marie de Guise snapped. "Further more, don't you have people on the inside as well, to prevent such occurences? What about that HRS that you assured me was very thorough in his work, despite my protests on having that child be the one to keep my daughter safe?"

As Bash quietly made his way to the conference table, Marie de Guise - her face enlarged on the projecting screen, looked in his direction and curled her lip upwards in distaste. "Speak of the devil," she hissed. "You, boy, what the hell do you have to say for yourself?"

All eyes in the throne room shifted from the projector screen to him.

There was only an audience of seven present, counting himself and the Scottish regent, who was video chatting the French royals all the way from Scotland. To the sides of him, Riley, Connor, and Jackson sat, Riley and Jackson on the left and Jackson to the right. In front of him, at the head of the table, sat Catherine, the French queen and his father's wife. To the right of Catherine his father stood, a brow raised inquisitively.

Bash took in an inaudible breath. "Regent Guise," he began, "the -"

"Do you think there is anything you can say?" Marie de Guise scoffed off Bash's words as she interjected, "Your nerve, thinking that there is a way you can explain yourself to me! Don't waste my time giving me excuses, Sebastian Poitiers. This," she said snidely, eyes flashing back to Henry and then contemptuously back towards Bash, "doesn't surprise me. I told you that having a mere child as the head of your security detail was a bad idea, and I hadn't been wrong! To make matters worse, my daughter had to get caught up in his inabilities -"

"The situation might not have been entirely in our favor, but Sebastian most certainly did his job." Jackson leaned back in his chair, arms folded over his chest, eyes steely as he stared at the Scottish regent on the projector.

"Andrew, you dare say something so incredulous to me?" Marie said in an appalled matter, as if she were really hurt by his objections.

Bash darted his eyes over to Jackson briefly, seeing a frown settle on the older man's features. He was a bit surprised that the Scottish regent spoke to his team member and former mentor so intimately, but that surprise quickly faded as he thought hard on the circumstances. Francis and Mary had known each other briefly, before Bash ever came to stay at the castle. Seeing as Jackson was a team leader during those days as well, it made sense that there was some familiarity.

Not to mention the fact that not many - including himself - knew Jackson's real name.

By the scowl on the older man's features, Bash figured that they both were presently thinking along the same lines. Jackson raised a brow in annoyance as he replied to Mary's mother, saying flatly, "What makes it so incredible?"

"This child's negligence is the reason why my daughter was almost taken -"

"This child, as you're referring to him, is the only reason why your daughter was secured inside the school, and the reason why we suffered minor casualties."

"He wasn't the only factor," Marie snapped, "I read the report given by the team member in the hospital. There was a boy there that pulled the alarm. He received outside help."

"The boy only did what Schmidt was meant to do originally anyway. You've read the report, so you are damn well aware that it was Sebastian who gave the order to secure the school -"

"You dare speak to me like -"

"Yes," Jackson growled in frustration, "I do. Is there anything you've got to say about it, Marie? You seem to have forgotten some very important information about His Majesty's Head of Royal Security. He may be young to us, but he's the first prince of France."

Bash saw Marie's face falter a bit, as if she just remembered that bit of information. He watched as she glanced quickly at Henry then at him before addressing Jackson again.

"That -" she started, but Jackson interrupted.

"In addition, he voluntarily refused the title of crown prince in order to be a member of the RSSO. He wasn't handed the title of HRS easily. He earned his stripes three years ago during the 'Nightwall Incident'."

"T-that -"

"He would have been the next king as well as Scotland's consort if he had wanted the position. Hell, this kid, by birthright, could arrange for that at any point he very well wishes. You aren't just talking about some nobody off the street or some aristocrat that got himself way in over his head. You're talking to the first prince and the sole preventer of the coup from three years ago. Have a little respect, and listen to the facts."

Marie, reprimanded into silence, warily eyed Henry, her lips thinned, and worry on her brow.

Henry held up a hand in an order of silence before saying lightly, "You are not incorrect, Jackson," - Marie visibly blanched at this - "however -"

"The Scottish regent cannot be entirely faulted. She's a mother, and worries for the life of her child," Catherine continued, with mild disinterest, and - Bash was certain - a hint of wry amusement. "So we must be somewhat sympathetic -"

"Yes, I mean, no, I mean - I was stricken with worry, and I reacted impulsively," Marie nervously explained, eyes settling on Bash with both trepidation and displeasure - "How could I have forgotten your bravery in that incident three years ago? You willingly gave up the crown at that time as well, allowing your brother to become dauphin, and so nobly. You do have a breadth of capability that goes beyond your years, first prince. I was rude, and I beg your pardon."

Bash fought the roll of his eyes as his lips quirked in wry amusement that mirrored the queen's as he replied, "But regent, we are all sympathetic to your woes. Your fears are sound."

He was certain that no one missed the relief that seemed to fall upon the Scottish regent's shoulders at his dismissal towards her behaviour to him.

Jackson continued speaking then, saying, "Had it not been for the first prince, the queen would have not made it to the hospital as quickly as she did. Her condition could have been much worse, especially if he hadn't instructed Schmidt and myself to closely watch the queen. Though I'm not privy to the details, it was Sebastian who ordered me to stay close by the school in case the Scottish queen needed assistance. Had it not been for his measures, I've no doubt your daughter's whereabouts would not be known at this time."

Marie quickly eyed Bash. "Had you left her at the hospital?" she demanded, her earlier pompous air returning.

"No, regent," - Of course not; would I be here if I did? - "we were released two hours ago. I just recently returned from escorting your queen to her chambers."

"Oh," came Marie's reply.

"I suspect that those involved knew the demographics of the student body and faculty. Normally, all admitted to the school have their backgrounds checked. I'm certain that those responsible for this knew this bit of information and more than likely assimilated themselves into the school all within a span of seventy two hours. I'm assuming that their recon of the area was more than likely done during the night as well."

"I'm checking airport logs for flights with rendezvous or departures from the United Kingdom," Connor informed the room. "We're also checking the data from their weapons and their vehicle for leads on their individual personalities to see if it could give us clues as to why the English government would have done this."

"I spoke with them," Marie quipped, "and the Prime Minister denies any involvement in this incident. He says that whomever is pulling the strings behind this has nothing to do with the English government."

"That is a bit hard to believe, considering the intelligence they would have had to gather in order to pull a stunt like this off," Catherine retorted dryly, "or are they honestly expecting us to buy that malarkey?"

"I don't think that the Prime Minister is lying," Bash said. "If Parliament were the ones who orchestrated this attempt, it would not have been done so sloppily. Frankly, there was nothing covert about this, and that would definitely not be the English government's style."

"So you think we're dealing with amateurs?" Marie asked Bash with an incredulous tone, and Bash shook his head at the same time his father did.

"He's saying that whoever did this is acting without permission of their government. Which rules out an act of terrorism on Britain's side, especially if they are a lone group without their country as the benefactor."

"Which keeps the English in the clear of any charges of treason or UN encroachment."

"Are we so sure that isn't just what the English government wants us to believe?" Marie said, to which Jackson replied, "For what reason would they have to start a war with their own allies? Currently the United Nations has its own global terrorist threats to worry about, so why would the English voluntarily lose its own allies? Especially with their own enemies on their borders?"

"Jackson is right," Henry agreed. "The Russians are getting very ballsy lately, ever since they granted Edward Snowden political asylum. It's been brought to UN attentions that Putin has sent Russian aircrafts to follow the flight patterns of English airliners. About a year ago, those actions violated the English airspace. Things have been tense between Putin and Parliament ever since."

"So they definitely wouldn't risk damaging any alliances they have, in fear of a Russian attack."

"Right," Bash nodded, shifting through the gathered pieces of information and forming his own suspicions. "That still doesn't tell us the most important thing: which is who is behind this and why."

"I detained a few operatives today for questioning. I'll definitely find out what it is they are trying to accomplish and who wants it done." His father nodded, satisfied with that answer. Marie's lips flattened, but she didn't say anything in response.

"In the future," Bash said to her, "this will not happen again."

"Do not say things you can't guarantee, first prince," Marie said saucily.

"Tell my daughter to contact me immediately. I will see to things here on my end."

Without so much as a good-bye, the Scottish regent disconnected from the video chat. Bash stared at the now blue screen of the projector while everyone else let out breaths they must have been holding.

"That woman gets on my nerves," Jackson and Catherine uttered in unison, while Henry shook his head and Connor and Riley snickered.

"So Mary is in her room?" Henry asked Bash.

"Yes, she should be resting."

Henry nodded, "She needs it." Again, Bash agreed.

"What do you plan to do?" He asked Bash.

Bash raised a brow and quirked his lips, hearing the question that wasn't spoken.

"What would you like me to do?" he countered, though he already knew the answer by the hardened look in his father's eyes.

"Handle it."

At the note of authority in his father's voice, Jackson, Riley, and Connor stood to attention.

Bash nodded. He began turning to make his exit when Catherine said to his back:

"I hope you live up to these assurances."

Her tone was light; wicked, cruel, and mocking. Bash didn't comment as he walked out the door.

All four Royal Security and Special Operations operatives were silent as they made their way to the elevator.

Riley broke the silence first. He hit the button to take them back to the main hall of the castle, then said, "Boss, what would you like us to do? I'm getting a vibe about this thing. Something doesn't make sense."

Bash nodded as the elevator opened, "You're right," he murmured, his eyes distant as he thought about the situation yet again. He said, "Riley, keep training our new guys. Connor, find out what you can on the data we sent over as well as the logs from the airports. Riley will help you with this after hours -" Bash paused. "Then look into any undisclosed issues Britain may be having with Russia or anywhere else."

"Plan to make another house call to the Prime Minister?" Connor asked.

"And Parliament, if need be."

"Got it, Boss." Connor frowned then, "But what about the three guys we've got detained?"

"I'll handle it alone," Bash said simply, not missing Jackson's frown of disapproval in his peripheral.

They were all at the second elevator that led to the basement. As they waited, Jackson said quietly to him, "I'll be damned if you 'handle it' on your own."

"And here I thought you were disappointed in me."

"Not disappointed, you punk ass kid. When have I ever been?"

Bash smiled lightly.

"That didn't quite reach your eyes."

"Ah, well -"

Jackson lightly placed his hand out, stopping Bash from walking on the elevator. "Go see her."

"After I do this."

"No, Kid. Now."

"That's not happening," Bash said grimly. "This is something I have to do."

"And you'll do it, Sebastian," Jackson said, irate.

"Well I don't feel like waiting."

"You and I, Connor and Riley - we all know what's going to happen to those guys," Jackson said somberly. "My personal opinion on the matter aside...I'm not trying to stop you, kid. Do you think I don't see it? Do you think none of us see it?; it's rolling off of you in waves."

"Jackson -" Bash hissed.

"Will you be able to face her after? Do you really want to? Think about it."

Do you really want to hold her after you've killed these men? The question was a hard and powerful one, and it wasn't that Bash wouldn't, so much as the fact that for Mary, who was so very innocent and pure in this aspect of life, would it be fair to her, to touch her or taint her after taking the lives of three men, all less than thirty feet from her?

His eyes softened just a bit, as he regarded his mentor with a frown. "You've gotten soft."

"I'll shoot you in the leg," Jackson vowed, then motioned up the stairs with his head. "Go. In the mean time, I'll help Connor. Don't keep us waiting too long," he gave a pointed look, "but come down when you're ready."

Had it been any other circumstance, Bash might have taken the opportunity to say the last word and maybe tease Jackson on his newfound knowledge that was Jackson's real name. Instead, Bash watched as Jackson waited for the elevator to be sent up to him. He waited until the elevator doors closed and then remained there still, running a hand haphazardly through his hair.

He wanted to see her, but then again he didn't.

He wanted to see her, but - was his current state less dangerous as what it would have been if he and Jackson had went down to the basement together?

He leaned against the elevator and sighed. Taking out his phone, he dialed her number.