A/N: I don't know if it makes it sound less true every time I say it, but I appreciate you for reading. This fanfic is my first, and I am having so much fun with this creative release. It's the end of the semester, so it serves as perfect procrastination!

Athenachild101-They both profess to wanting a big family, and I'd say after 13.5 years, they've got one. :) Hmm, not a bad idea to bring Kriss into a vignette. I'll have to think about this.

PokemonLuver151-Thanks for the feedback. I'll try!

candy1928-I know. They wanted a big family. By my standards, they have one now. We'll see if Maxon gets his wish!

GavrilGirl: What a complement! Thanks so much. There's more to the story, that's for sure.

**A little over a year later**

I sit straight up in bed, wondering what had pulled me from my dream. I turn to Maxon, but his side is empty. The pillow untouched. What is that noise?

Fear courses through my body as realization sets in. It's been almost fifteen years since the rebel alarms have sounded at night. Maxon and Aspen, now commander of our special forces, insist on drills. But they are always during the day, and even though they are always unannounced, I am always forewarned. The children, not understanding the seriousness, see them as a great opportunity to play in areas of the palace that are usually off limits to them. A point of consternation for the palace guard, and even Maxon. But I understand. We have worked tirelessly to keep them blissfully unaware of the possible dangers outside the palace. Illea is infinitely safer than when Maxon toddled these hallways, but living in the palace will always carry its own special risk. I'm already moving for Barrett and Griffin as Carter opens the door to the hallway. I wave him toward the nursery, "May. Calix. Abrielle." He nods and I turn to the closet, running my hand along the wall. Where is that damn button?

The babies struggle a little and whine in my grasp as I awkwardly hold them against my body. I croon to them, "It's okay, guys. Mama's here. I know that's a loud noise." Aha! As my hand brushes up against an unevenness in the paneling of the closet and the hidden staircase is revealed, Barrett is pulled from my grasp. I whirl around to see May, comforting her nephew against her body and relax, but only slightly. Calix has Abrielle by the hand, face composed but eyes wide. Maxon had undertaken the explanation of our tenuous position when Calix turned eight. He knows the extraordinary work involved in striking the balance that keeps these drills from being real. Abrielle has her hands over her ears. "Down the stairs. Follow Aunt May." My statement isn't even complete and May is through the door, guiding Calix and Abrielle. I follow them. "Quickly, loves," I urge, trying to keep my voice soft. They are already frightened enough. I look over my shoulder and lock eyes with Carter. "It's clear, Your Majesty." I nod quickly. He shuts the door and I'm grateful for the boots that are willing to run in the opposite direction. Stay safe, Officer Woodwork. Your family needs you as much as mine does.

During the Selection, Celeste, Elise, Kriss, and I never imagined that the rebel alarms would cease. I even joked that I would wear track shoes instead of heels if I became Queen, our jaunts to the safe rooms tense and frequent as we dodged ever-present danger. But, Maxon and I work so hard to make sure that drills were all we ever need. The caste system numbers are basically meaningless now—except as prejudicial slurs—and the country is more prosperous than ever before. New Asia and Illea have an uneasy peace, but both benefit from trade agreements that show how much we actually need the other. The government coffers of both full to overflowing. The European kingdoms support our changes, and we now have allies around the world as we strive to educate our entire populace, and ameliorate issues surrounding hunger and poverty. The Northern rebels were satisfied, and the Southern ones all but eradicated in the same attack that took Amberly from us. Our more recent work, to establish a parliament, would give even more power to the citizenry.

So, what is the new threat?

Our bedraggled group enters the safe room. I go to May, placing a hand on her shoulder, where she and Calix are helping Abrielle stretch out on a cot. Abrielle's eyes already flutter. She'll be asleep in the next thirty seconds. She balances Barrett on her hip, and I take the opportunity to take a good look at my baby sister. She's not such a baby any more. At twenty-eight, she is at once beautiful and strong. She is still easy to laugh, which helps when my own temper flares. Even though she teaches art at the palace school, she insists on helping us with the children, mostly at night, and when we have to tour. When she became engaged last year—Kriss had much to do with introducing her to the professor of history that will become her husband—I protested her nearly constant presence at the palace. But she contended that family helps family, knowing how much I did not want to leave our children and how much work Maxon and I have to do. I relented, and several rooms on the other side of the nursery have been converted into her apartment.

Calix reaches for Griffin as he sees Commander Leger enter the safe room. "Here, Mama. I'll take him." I look at my son and can't believe how much he has grown in such a short time. I smile genuinely at him, making sure to keep my fear hidden. I turn to him and hand him his little brother. "Thank you, Cal." Adding, quietly, "I am so proud of how you are acting tonight."

Suddenly, I am aware that I forgot my robe. I am standing barefoot, barely dressed in a thin, blue cotton nightgown, hair braided down my back, surrounded by my staff. I compose myself, and survey the room. Everyone seems to be calm, helping each other get settled until they are released. May brings me a blanket to wrap around my shoulders, as if she read my mind. "Thanks, Sis." She smiles sleepily and retreats to a cot, curling her body around Barrett, as Calix continues to comfort Griffin.

I meet Aspen in the middle of the room. He knows my question before I speak it. "Maxon's safe." I exhale. "He's right behind me." It's taken us a long time to get to the point where we can look at each other and not remember past hurts. Lucy's influence, and his two little girls, have softened Aspen around the edges, but his aptitude for this sort of work only grows. He knows the safety of my family is in his hands, and he performs his duties all over the world.

"How long did it take to clear the floors?"

"Longer than I would like, Your Majesty. And, the King refused to enter the safe room before helping clear."

Hmm. The King and I would be having a discussion about that.

Aspen seems amused at the look on my face. He lowers his voice, "I don't know why you're surprised, Mer. He loves his people almost as much as he loves you."

"Yes," I whisper back, "But his people need him alive." Precisely at that moment, Maxon enters the room. Aspen moves to stand at attention. Even Calix sits up straighter, wanting to impress his father.

"At ease," Maxon says as he nods to both Aspen and Cal. He smiles at me, and I remain where I am as he checks in on each of his staff, then makes his way to our family corner. He claps Cal on the back, and touches the hand of a now sleeping Griffin. After settling Cal, he peeks at May and Barrett, and grins at Abrielle stretching like a starfish. Only then does he come to the middle of the room to meet with me and Aspen.

I lean into him, receiving the kiss on my forehead with composure. The children and staff see my calm demeanor, but both men beside me know that I am quaking. "What happened?" I ask quietly.

Maxon and Aspen exchange a glance. I see Maxon's watch in his hands, instead of around his wrist. Instantly, I know. "A drill?" I want to scream it, but I know I can't, and narrow my eyes instead. "Explain."

"The day drills are not taken seriously. It was taking longer and longer to clear the floors, and some staff resisted leaving at all. We needed to get in a realistic drill and see where we could improve." I nod, agreeing with the logic. But, something still pushed at the back of my brain. That wasn't the whole truth. "Why all the urgency? We haven't had a night drill since Calix was born. Why now?"

They stood silent before me. I knew I couldn't command Aspen to speak if Maxon had insisted on his silence, so I focus my gaze on my husband. He looked right back, prepared for a contest. "This conversation isn't over. You two stay here. I am going to tell the staff they can return to their rooms. No use in them losing any more sleep, or causing unnecessary worry." I dismiss each group, and when I come to Mary I ask her gently to help May return my family to their rooms. She curtsies, and helps to rouse May and Cal, who each gingerly move their sleeping charges. Mary picks up drowsy Abrielle, and my little family exits the safe room.

As the room clears, I return to Aspen and Maxon, and demand, "What is the new threat?"

Aspen looks at Maxon, pointedly, "You might as well tell her. You know better than anyone how stubborn she is."

I cross my arms across my chest, and raise my eyebrow. Maxon sighs and puts his arm around my shoulders. "Understand, America, it's a distant rumbling now, but we fear it's getting stronger. We knew it wouldn't be easy to eliminate the castes and establish a more parliamentary form of government. But, we've made such progress in fifteen years. And the country is prospering, and has become an example of what releasing a stranglehold on the neck of the people can do."

"But some people are not happy."

"Right, love, and though everyone is better off as a whole, some lost a great deal when we made the initial changes."

My eyes widen in surprise as I blurt out, "The twos loyal to your father. But, haven't we been watching them for years? Why now?"

"America, most of my job has been to identify and contain threats. We have several theories as to the catalyst, but really that doesn't matter." Aspen turns to me, expression serious, "What we know for sure, Mer, is that it is not as safe as it was, but it is even more important for you to be among the people."

Maxon adds, "We are almost positive it is because we are trying to establish the parliament. As we do, laws are being amended. The twos have borne change they never expected, and some that they never wanted. The education system you are working so hard on is beginning to bear fruit, and children from all castes are benefiting. But those whose parents were born fours and below show a hunger for education that the twos have already taken for granted… There are so many components impacting this movement, America. We're challenging the very fabric of what they always believed about themselves."

I think of Celeste, and how she truly believed that she deserved Maxon simply because of her station in life. How hard it was for her to accept that I had an equal right to him, if that's what he chose. How her catharsis was cut short by a well-placed bullet. I center my focus on Aspen, "I want my maids, May, Calix, Abrielle, Marlee… Anyone who works with the children daily trained in self-defense, Officer Leger. They can train alone or in a group, but they will be trained. Starting tomorrow. Also, I will need training." I refuse to be a victim or a tool to terrorize my family.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"The best, Officer Leger. Find the best and pay them whatever they ask. And ensure their discretion. I want them thoroughly vetted before allowing them through the doors of my home. And security." I look to Maxon, then back to Aspen, "Unobtrusively get more security in this palace. We have a skeleton crew now, and we need to be back up to pre-treaty standards."

Aspen nods, "Already started, Queen America—"

I cut him off and continue, "We don't want to give away our intelligence. So, I don't care if all the maids are suddenly—and coincidentally—martial arts specialists and the stable hands can hit a bullseye at 300 yards. Protect my family, Office Leger, and tell as few people as possible."

Maxon and Aspen stand side-by-side, looking slightly bemused.

I nod. And, then I turn and head out of the safe room, alone.

I walk more and more quickly, and hit the doors to the garden on the first floor almost at a full run. I don't acknowledge the greeting of the guards as I tear outside. When I reach the bench, our bench, I collapse onto it. Thankful for the blanket around my shoulders. My heart races. My legs both energized and spent by the sudden exertion. And, then my whole body is completely numb. Maxon approaches me, a look of concern on his face. He sits down, and pulls me into his arms. He feels miles away.

"If I hadn't figured it out, when were you going to tell me?"

"Soon, love. We are expecting another round of intel this week, and we planned to tell you after that and include you in the strategy meetings. We're getting closer to the source of the unrest."

He stops talking as I finally break down. Instead, he rocks me back and forth, whispering repeatedly, "I know, America. I know."