A/N

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Didn't expect to be so busy these last few days. All these positive reviews are so flattering. It makes writing easier. Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoy this next chapter! -SJ :)

"It's just us," Carter and August hold their hands out and approach me cautiously. "Your Majesty?" Carter questions. He holds out his hand to remove the gun from mine. My knuckles are white from gripping the handle, and I resist subconsciously. Unable to give up control. "It's okay. It's over," he whispers, again and again. Eventually, I relent and give up my weapon. I even allow August to help me stand. Taking a deep breath to steel myself against what could have happened, I look seriously at them both, "He had the code."

Carter pales, and his ear bud clicks. He turns from me and instructs someone to come and clear Didasko's body, "All floors are clear." Carter looks at me again, "America, are you all right?" I stare down at my hands. They are covered in my own blood. I wipe my palms against my skirt, looking for the source of my wound. The skin on the outside of my left pinky is in shreds from my wrist to the tip of my finger and my right wrist is bruised and swollen like I am wearing a hideous green and purple bracelet.

I turn away as the guards arrive with the body bag. As they leave, Maxon and Aspen enter the space, talking intently. They stop, surprised that I am on the wrong side of the door. "He had the code," I repeat, a little louder. A little more forcefully.

"America?" Maxon looks confused and concerned simultaneously, as he steps toward me. "What happened?"

"Didasko."

Even Maxon cannot totally keep his composure, and emotions flicker across his face rapidly. He settles on resolved, and asks, "Are you hurt?"

I just shake my head in response. "Nothing serious." We can talk later about how my skin crawled when he pressed himself against me. I hold myself removed from Maxon to keep my composure, and he follows my cue, thought it looks like he wants nothing more than to fold me into his arms. "Was he working alone?"

Aspen stands at attention. "No, a group went to the temporary detention cell where we were keeping Bariel until late this afternoon. The two shots seemed to initiate the attack."

"America," Maxon says. He hesitates and stops talking. I nod at him, looking at him until he continues. "America, Stavros is dead. He was found locked inside a safe room. Shot twice."

I am surprised at that one. Maxon and Stavros had left the room together. I wonder how they became separated. "Didasko had the code for one," I finally say. "So, he killed Stavros and then came for me?"

"If he had the code for one, he very well could have the code for both." Aspen's frustration is sitting just below the surface, "We will replace them all with another system, but to do so safely will take some time." Aspen examines the key pad. It looks worse for the wear and suddenly I understand the injuries to my left hand. "We'll start with this one, of course. Did you do this with your hands, Mer?"

I show them my left hand. The bleeding is nonexistent now, and the bruising has set in. "I couldn't let him in the room."

Maxon finds his voice first, "I'm sure they are ready to be released. We'll meet in two hours in my study to review and plan our next steps. For now, concentrate on the families inside."

Aspen pulls a key from his pocket and slips it into an unobtrusive lock. The door slides open, and I am surrounded. My family does not hold back. After reassuring everyone I am fine, I guide them up to the common area. Mom and Kota soon make their way to their respective rooms. After some reassurances and several hugs, Abrielle, Calix, and Griffin readily follow Astra and May to the nursery. Maxon follows them in, trying to steal a little time with them before they fall asleep. But, Barrett insists on being held close, and soon nods off on my shoulder. It is then that Nicoletta pulls me aside. After hugging me and examining my hands, she quietly strokes Barrett's back saying, "Your safe rooms are not so secure anymore. You know I love your babies like they are my own. Please let your family come and visit me for a while. We can be gone by morning, and no one would know it is because of the attack. I can keep them and you protected, America."

"I can't leave my people, Nicoletta. You understand. But, I will talk to Maxon about the children. Some quality time with Auntie Nic may be in order. Do you think you could stand it?" I try to tease my happily childless friend. But my tone comes across as nervous more than anything else.

"Of course, your mother, Kenna, James, and May would be coming along, yes?" Nicoletta pretends like she would not mind either way.

"Evan and Kota, too?" I gently rock Barrett back and forth.

"America, if you can pull Gerad away from the co-eds at University, he is welcome, as well."

I allow a half-smile at that, "I don't think anyone would be able to do that, Nicoletta." I nod at Maxon as he comes out of the nursery, "We'll talk about it. Will you wait here for us while I clean up a bit? We'll walk you back to your rooms before our meeting."

She nods and motions for Barrett, who she immediately cradles against her shoulder. Who knew that she had such a motherly side? "Don't look at me like that, both of you. I only like your kids." Nicoletta smiles as she presses a kiss into Barrett's hair, and settles herself on the couch to wait.

Maxon leans against the bathroom door and watches as I hold my hands under cool water and let the remnants of my injury flow pink down the drain. "Ames, what happened?" His voice is soft, as he moves from the door to put a hand on my back. I hold it together just long enough to dry my hands and turn into his chest. I am too far gone to cry real tears, but shake as if I am. He just holds me, saying nothing. When I find my voice again, I whisper, "The children aren't safe here. Mom, May, Kenna and James. Even Kota and Evan, if we can get them to leave. They can't stay, Maxon. They have to go with Nicoletta when she leaves in the morning."

He nods, and asks again, "What happened, love?" I tell him matter-of-factly, without breaking down again. He takes my hands in his, examines my bruises. Then brings them to his lips. "I'm glad you're okay."

We change quickly into fresh clothes, and walk Nicoletta back to her room. On the way, we make plans for the children to leave with her for a short stay in Italy. It feels like we are failing by sending them away, but with the safe rooms compromised we feel like we have no choice. Maxon guides me with his hand in the small of my back, and I let him. Sometimes I tire of being strong. When we reach the study, everyone else is already there around the table. Georgia, August, Aspen and Carter. But no Stavros. There is a pang in my heart. We will not have time to mourn him before moving on, as it is obvious that the rest of the team is waiting for us for direction. They start to stand as we enter, but we waive away their formality.

We have no time to lose.