Been working on this one-shot for while. I hope you like this little "What if" about Jasper's life.

Promises

Jasper Frost woke up at the sound of his mobile phone buzzing on the nightstand. He quickly reached for his phone and without reading the caller ID, accepted the call. He placed the device up to his ear. In a whisper he said, "This is Frost."

As he listened to the speaker on the other end, his gently tossed the blanket aside and sat up straight at the end of the edge of the bed. He ran a hand through his hair as he continued to the speaker at other end of the phone. After a few minutes he said, "I understand. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon."

He gently placed the mobile back down on the nightstand and as he turned to swing his legs back on the bed, he found his girlfriend sitting straight up with the covers pulled up close to her chest.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" he asked.

"No, your bloody phone call did. Who was it?"

"Just someone… Let's go back to bed, princess."

"I'm not letting you get away with that answer tonight," said Eleanor with her eyes brows knitted together. "This has been happening every few months for the last year. I am tired. I want know who is calling you, so I can hire someone to kill them."

Jasper smiled and said, "I promise you, it's nothing you have to worry about."

"Jasper, do you really want me to use my Princess card. Stop being an ass and just tell me. I can handle it if you tell me. If it is a girl, I'll kill her and then kill you."

"It's not a girl…" he replied with a smirk.

She turned and grabbed her mobile off her night hand. She unlocked her phone and said with her thumb posed over the key pad, "Tell me the truth or I will have James track your call"

"Eleanor…"

"Tell me," she said in a stern tone. When he did not answer her, she quickly pressed the speed dialed number and placed her mobile up to her ear as she glared at him.

"It's ringing…" she said still glaring at him.

He silently reached over as she was about to speak into the phone. He turned off the mobile and set it between them. Then he turned towards the nightstand and pulled open the draw. Then he reached into it.

He turned back around and took her right hand. He gently dropped an item into the palm of her hand. He leaned back slightly and said, "Look at it."

Eleanor looked down to find two dog tags on a silver chain in the palm of her hand. She lifted it up to get a closer look. A few minutes later she said, "They're just dog tags. Everyone who was in the military has a set of dog tags."

"Not was … is," he said.

"Is?… I don't understand."

"Eleanor, I'm still in the military, I work for the Special Force Unit. My job is to rescue hostages and protect government officials …." He paused and said, "The reason you could never really find any information about me is because when I was assigned, my bosses changed my file."

"Then what about you and Samantha coming here to steal the diamond?" she asked.

"That was a cover. I was helping out another unit and since Samantha didn't know who was I had to continue to play the part." He reached for his phone and dialed a telephone number before placing it in her other free hand and said, "Go ahead, ask my bosses."

Eleanor stared at him for a few seconds before placing the phone up to her ear.

Around noon the next day

Eleanor briskly walked through the palace and towards the back doors where a dark color car stood. She gestured for the guard at the door to open it for her and stepped out to find Jasper dressed in casual clothing.

She slowly walked up to him placing on foot in front of the other. "I thought you were going to change before you leave."

"I will when I get there," he replied as she stopped in front him.

"Will I be able to reach you?" she asked.

"I'll text you when I get a chance," he said.

"This is strange…" She stepped closer to him and placed both arms on his shoulder and placing her finger behind his neck. "You're not going to brag about me to your teammates are your?"

He smiled and said." Maybe.. Do you want me too?"

"Maybe" she replied with a smile grin. "When are you returning?"

The smile on his face faded. "I'll be gone for three months. Hargid will be assigned until I return."

She dropped her head on his shoulder. "Three months" she said in a whisper only he could hear.

He kissed her head gently and whispered, "I'll be back before Christmas. You can finally get me that Christmas gift without me finding out what you're getting."

She exhaled deeply and said, "It's not going to be the same."

"I know, but I'll be back before you know it." He stepped back slightly and said, "I have to go."

She nodded her head and took a few steps back. She watched as he walked around the car to the driver's side and got in. She gave her a small wave and watched as he started the engine.

As the car pulled away, Eleanor lifted her head up to keep the tears from spilling out. A few seconds later, she lowered her head to find someone handing her a handkerchief. She turned her head to the right to find James Hill next to her.

She took the handkerchief he offered her and said, "Thanks, James."

"You're welcome your highness," he said lowering his hand back to his side.

They stood and watched as Jasper's car make it's way out through the iron gates. As the car started to disappear, James said,

"Don't worry; he'll be back before you know it, your highness."

"Did you always know about his job?" she asked as she handed back the handkerchief.

"Not until I took over as Head of Security and he told me," he said as he pocketed the handkerchief.

"Well James, let's go before the bloody tour group finds me. You know they're going to love finding me here was my makeup messed up." She then spun on her heels and headed back in to palace.

3 months later

Eleanor smiled as she read the message on the screen of mobile. She quickly typed a reply before sitting it back down on the dining table and resumed eating her breakfast.

Liam who was sitting across from her smirked and said, "Looks like it's another text from Jasper."

"Yes, not shut up and eat," she said as she stabbed her fork into her eggs.

"And when did Mr. Frost say he was returning?" asked Queen Helena from her end of the table.

Eleanor took a sip of her juice before she replied, "In two days? Why do you ask?"

"Well since we're updating our official website for the Christmas holiday, I wanted to make sure Mr. Frost will be able to make it in time for our photo on the website. You know how the press likes to knit-nip about this stuff." Helena said in a casual tone as she stirred her spoon in her tea.

"Should I tell him about the photo?" asked Eleanor

"It's up to you… but it's best that he is prepared." Helena answered as she gently tapped the spoon at the edge of the teacup.

Eleanor sighed and without saying another word, she reached for her mobile and typed a quick message to Jasper. As she pressed send she said, "There, as you wish your Majesty."

Helena smiled at her in response as she set the spoon on the saucer.

Two Days Later

Eleanor tapped her finger impatiently on the armchair she sat in. She leaned forward and picked up her mobile to see if there was a text message from Jasper but her screen was blank. She set it back down and stood up. She grabbed her phone and flung the door of her study open.

As she stormed out of the room her newly assigned bodyguard asked, "Your highness, where are you?"

"To get some answers," Eleanor replied as she stormed down the hallway. As she walked she asked, "Where is Mr. Hill? He hasn't returned any of my messages."

As the bodyguard jogged to catch up he said, "He is meeting with the Queen in the drawing room."

"Well then that is where I'm going," Eleanor said in an annoyed tone.

A few minutes later, Eleanor found herself standing in front of the double doors to the drawing room. She stepped forward and was about the enter the room when Queen Helena's security stepped in front of the doors.

Eleanor huffed and said in an angry tone, "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sorry, but her Majesty has told us that no one is allowed to enter the room until she says so," said one of the guards.

"I'm the bloody Princess. That is my mother in the room. I want to speak to her now!"

The doors to the drawing room opened and Rachel stood in front of her. While staring into Eleanor's eyes she said, "Let her in… Her Majesty wants to speak to her."

The two guards stepped aside and Eleanor entered. She walked pasted Rachel and into the room to find Helena, James, Liam and a man in a military uniform with graying hair sitting around the coffee table. She placed her hands on her hips and said,

"What's with the message? Why am I not allowed to leave the palace?"

Helena straight in her chair and said, "Eleanor is General Roberts. He is Mr. Frost's commanding officer. As you know Mr. Frost was on an assignment for the last few months."

Eleanor's eyes darted from Helena, to James, and then to the General. "Yes, but what does that have to do with anything."

The General who was sitting between Helena and James said, "The reason I am here is to see you, your highness. Before the members of Mr. Frost's unit leaves for any mission they each wrote a letter to give to someone in their family." He paused and pulled out an envelope and said, "I'm sorry… This letter was addressed to you." The General stood up and with both hands handed Eleanor the letter.

Eleanor stared at the envelop for a few seconds and said, "I see…" She slowly reached for the envelop and let her hand drop to the side.

Liam stood up from his armchair and said, "Len, are you ok?"

She waved her hand and mumbled. "I'm fine… I'll be heading back to my room." Without saying another word, she exited the room.

Eleanor entered room and waiting for bodyguard to close the door as she sat down in her armchair. She stared at her name written on the envelop in Jasper's hand writing. She slowly flipped it around, unsealed the letter, and pulled out the paper inside. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them.

Dear Eleanor,

When I started as your bodyguard, my assignment was to protect you and figure out who was after your father. You were never part of the plan. I knew going in that you were a wild card and anything could happen but falling in love with you was not one of them.

Although we ended up hurting each other many times over the last 3 years, I do not regret any of it. The moment I could not stay away from you, I knew you were the one. I know that entering into the royal family will not be easy but I was ready for the challenge because I had you.

If you are reading this letter, that means I will have to break the promises we made. You might have thought I was just agreeing to them just to you happy. I had every intention of keeping them.

I know how hard the next few months will be you. However, I hope you only feel sad for a few days and move on. Please try to limit your nightclubbing hopping and you do not drive your new bodyguard crazy. You might be a Princess however, you can't keep going through them like they are water. I know James will be there for you. However, he is head of security. You need to let him do his job, your highness.

I love you, Eleanor Henstridge. I love you not because you are hot or a Princess, because you are Eleanor.

I will always love you.

For the next few weeks, Eleanor keep to herself and spent most of her time roaming the palace. The only staff that entered her wing was James and two of her personal maids and butler. The loud banging on Eleanor's bedroom door caused her to throw the covers off and shout, "Who is it?" A few seconds later, the doors open and James stepped into the room. She groaned and mumbled, "Go away…"

James walked up to the foot of her bed and said, "I'm sorry, but the General is here and wants to talk to you."

"Well I don't want to talk to him. Unless he can tell me that what happened was a lie, I'm not talking to him.

James inhaled deeply and said, "I know, your highness, you don't want to talk to anyone but you can't stay in your room all day. It's been two weeks. The General said it is important and that he will wait for you."

Eleanor reminded still for a few minutes. She sat up slowly and as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed she said, "Fine, tell the General I'll be there."

She waited for the door to close before she rolled out of bed and paddled her way into the bathroom to shower and change.

Eleanor pushed up the door to her study to find the General sitting straight in the arm chair. She slowly walked over to the armchair opposite from his and sat down. She watched as the door opened and James walked in and stood behind her.

She then turned to the general and said, "You wanted to see me."

"Yes, your highness…" He paused and slid a black folder across. "This is a document informing you that next week we will be announcing Mr. Frost death as a military training accident along with the other members that died with him. Please signed the paper stating that we have informed you and that you will not be informing anyone outside of this room about the truth of what really happened."

"And what if I do?" she asked staring at the paper.

"Well then we would need to take military action. Although you might be a Princess you are not immune to the rules of the military."

"If I sign this, will you go away?"

"Yes, your highness." He paused and then said, "We will make the announcement in a couple of days."

Eleanor held out her hand towards James. She waited for him to place his pen in her hand and then lead forwards. She quickly signed her name on the line. She set the pen down and stared at her signature on the document. She looked up at the General and said, "If there is nothing else, I will be leaving. Contact Mr. Hill if there is anything else. I hope we never have to see each other again." She stood up and stormed out of the room.

Following weekend

Eleanor slide back into the her car and pushed her sunglasses up to the crown on her head. She turned to face James and asked, "Did they announce anything yet?"

James shook his head. "I'm sorry, but they haven't. The Queen and Prince Liam are going to stay for the other event. Will you be joining them or will you be heading back to the palace?" he asked as he tucked his phone back into his suit jacket.

"No, I want to go back to palace to get ready for that party" Eleanor said as she stared out the window. As the car pulled away she asked, "And did they say when they were making the announcement?"

"No, they could only tell us it would be today. Would you like me to find out?" James asked.

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter… We won't be making an announcement until after the New Year anyway."

4 hrs later

"Lenny, where are you going?" asked Liam as he followed his twin sister out of the room.

As the doors swung closes, Eleanor tugged her lace wrap further up her shoulder. She inhaled deeply and then said, "I just can't be in there right now…"

"Lenny… I know it's hard it's hard for you… But you can't stay locked up in your room forever." Liam said walking towards her.

She turned around to look at him and said, "I know… I just really miss him… I didn't think it would miss him this much."

"Where do you want to go? I'll go with you," Liam said with a small smile on his face.

She shook her head in response. "We can't both be gone… Too many people are here for both royals to be away." She walked up to him and straighten the bow tie he wore. She took a step back and then said, "There much better."

"Lenny, are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" he asked.

She gave a small smile and said, "I'll be fine. I am just going to go out to the rose garden and walk around. I'm not going off palace grounds." She gently kissed him on the cheek before turning and walking out of the side doors.

Eleanor sighed as she sat down on the stone bench in the garden. She leaned back slight and stared up at the clear dark sky. As she sat in the cold, she let the tears she had pent up slide down her face. She raised her hand and wiped them away with the back of her hand. She inhaled deeply and slowly let it out.

"What are you doing out here alone, Princess?" came a voice next to her.

She turned her head at the sound of the voice and then said, "Great… did Liam spike the drink again? Cause there is no way Jasper would be sitting here."

"You really think I'm dead?" asked Jasper dressed in a dark color jacket.

Eleanor smirked and said, "If this isn't my mind playing tricks on me why did it take this long for you to return?"

Jasper stood up and walked in front of her. He knelt down and said looking into her eyes, "I'm real…" He placed his hand on top of hers. "I'm sorry, it took me so long to return."

She raised a finger and started poking him in the arm and chest. After a few minutes she raised both hands and shoved him hard in the chest causing him to fall back into the lightly snow cover grass. She stood up and walked passed him. "Bastard," she hissed as she passed.

Jasper quickly got to his feet and said, "Wait, Eleanor." He jogged up to her and stood in her path.

She stared at him angrily and said in a snappy tone, "What the hell do you want from me? You can just come back and think that everything will be fine. I thought you were dead for a month. The General came to us and give me your will."

"I know… I know… I know you're angry and hurt and you have the right to hate me. But, I'm back now and I'm not going anywhere," he said walking towards her closing the small gap between them.

She raised her hands and said as tears started to stream from her eyes, "I hate you… I hate you Jasper Frost for leaving me. Letting me that that you dead." She started to hit him in the chest.

"I know… I cannot tell you what happened but all you need to know is that I'm back now and I'm not going anywhere. I resigned as of three hours ago," he said as he grabbed hold of her hands to stopped her from hitting him.

She looked up at him. "You're telling me the truth?"

"I'd never lied about that to you, your highness. But if you want you can call my boss?" he said with a light smirk on his face.

She shook her head. "I don't want to speak to him… We've seen enough of each other." She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. "I have so much to say and ask."

"I know," he said resting his chin on top of his head.

"I'm still angry at you. But it can wait until tomorrow…" She paused for a moment and then said, "There is something I want to ask now," she tilted her head back to look at him. "Now that you've return, you'll stay by my side forever, right?"

"I'll always stay by your side no matter what. I can promise you that," he said before cupping her face in his hands and gently kissing her lips. He pulled back and said, "Your lips are cold."

"Well take me back inside to warm up…" She started to say but stopped when he started to pull her towards the palace.