A/N:

Thanks for sticking with me! Hope you are enjoying it. Just a quick update for your Friday morning. :) -SJ

I look around the room, as everyone else seems frozen in time. Elise's hands cover her mouth, and Maxon and Aspen just stare straight ahead, unseeing. Maxon is the first one to break the silence, talking to no one and all of us, he whispers, "He killed my father. Stavros killed my father."

"I don't understand. Why after all this time would he confess?" Aspen mumbles, shaking his head and turning away from the screen. "Why would he even keep the evidence?"

I grab the remote and pause the footage, ending the screams and moans from the suffering of the past. Tears are running down Elise's face, and I embrace her. "You don't have to watch this. Please, feel free to return to your rooms."

Elise shakes her head, "No. And I will make the call later today to extend my stay. We are allies, but first we are friends. What hurts one of us hurts us both."

I nod.

"Get Gavril. Now!" Maxon's voice is more intense than I have ever heard it. I put a hand on his arm, which he promptly shrugs off as he removes his coat and begins to pace the perimeter of the room. "Replay it from the beginning. Let's watch it again."

My stomach turns, "No."

He turns and looks at me without any warmth and spits each word. "Play. It. Again."

Aspen goes to the phone and starts to dial.

Elise takes the remote and presses the "play" button. I watch Maxon fawn over Kriss again. I hear the screams as Celeste is murdered on screen. I am transported back to hiding underneath the table, waiting to die. An unseen rebel yells, "I got the prince. Find the king." And, I watch our confidante and advisor expertly assassinate the reigning monarch. It is no easier the second time.

Without even pausing in his circuit around the room, Maxon commands, "Play it again. Where the hell is Gavril?"

I don't argue as the disc is replayed. Aspen assures Maxon that Gavril is on his way. Again, I am staring into space, the guard moves forward on an unseen signal, and my friend is killed in front of me. Maxon falls. Aspen carries Kriss from the room. King Clarkson takes a bullet to the head.

"Play it again."

This time, I find my voice. "Enough. Let's wait for Gavril." He finally looks at me, his eyes misting, then silently nods and sits on the edge of the couch nearest him.

"Commander Leger, let's see if we can find some refreshments to keep us going. If I remember correctly, the kitchens are this way." Elise is already half-way out the door before Aspen registers that it is a command and follows her.

I take the opportunity to gather Maxon in my arms. He leans his forehead into my shoulder, "I just don't understand. How could this have been kept a secret? How could he have hidden this from us for so long?"

I stroke the back of his head, running my hands through his hair. I don't say anything, because he doesn't want answers.

Gavril returns, escorted by Aspen and Elise. Maxon straightens himself quickly, wiping his face and adjusting his tie. "Okay, Gavril tell us what we're seeing here." Maxon starts the footage from the beginning, and Gavril's expression shifts from curious to horrified as he watches the events of that night unfold.

"Where did you find this?" Gavril asked. "I've never seen this footage. The rebels attacked the booth in the hopes of broadcasting their propaganda that day. They didn't realize we had disabled the feed as the attack began. We lost most of our crew, the majority of our equipment, and all the footage. This is from the stationary camera, which would have been operational without a crew because it continuously rolls. We usually switch to this view as we get other shots together during a live broadcast."

"Can you explain to me why your handwriting is on the case?"

Gavril looks confused, "My handwriting is on all the cases. I label those pre-taping."

"We've always heard that Queen Amberly died protecting the king from the rebels," Aspen says.

"That's what I was told as well. Stavros was the one who told me," Gavril admitted. "I've heard that he cared very deeply for the Queen." After a slight pause he continued, "And you, Your Majesty, of course."

"And you're sure there is no other footage?"

"I didn't even know this footage survived the attack."

Maxon takes the remote and turns off the television. "Okay. We're done." Everyone looks at him curiously. "Let's get some sleep. We know who the third head is. We'll clean this up in the morning." He stalks out of the room, leaving us all to stare after him.

The sun pushes through the cracks in my office blinds. I open my eyes and stretch stiffly, examining my surroundings. Elise is asleep on the oversized armchair next to the couch, curled in a ball. Gavril and Aspen are gone. The last time I glanced at my watch it was 3:00 AM and we were watching the disc on repeat. I know we are missing the reason that Stavros shared it with us. There's essential information hidden in the video, and we have to find it. With the shock, Maxon has reverted to "command mode." I haven't seen him like this in years, and I don't particularly care for it. He tends not to listen and makes decisions unilaterally, which is his prerogative. But, he also gets tunnel vision. I stand and stretch again, then gently rouse Elise.

Her eyes flick around the room and she composes herself quickly. "Good morning," Elise responds, standing and looking no worse for the wear even though she's been sleeping in a chair for the last four hours. "Did you find anything?"

I shake my head and rub my hand across my eyes, "Not yet. I can't believe there isn't a search party out looking for us. Maxon and I always have breakfast together at sunrise." I gesture toward the window, "And that is long past."

"What's the plan for today?"

"The children will be up soon, and as soon as we can get everyone sorted, they will be leaving with Nicoletta. I'm going to try to get ready for the day before they wake up. I'm sure Maxon has a schedule he'd like us to follow after that. Would you mind waiting for us in your suite?"

Elise gives me a hug, as she says she wouldn't mind at all. She reminds me she has several calls to make, as well. We part in the hallway, and I hurry toward my room. I am surprised Maxon hasn't come to find me yet, which also means he is probably still immersed in his emotions from last night. Avery opens the door for me as I enter our room. Maxon is standing at the balcony, leaning on the railing. He says, "Good morning," in a flat voice, that reflects how we both feel. This morning is anything but.

"Is it?" I ask, and move towards him. He still hasn't turned from the view as I approach. His hair is still wet from his shower, darkening the honey tones. His dress pants and shirt are clean, but it looks like he will forego the jacket for now. His sleeves are already rolled up and he isn't wearing a tie. I tentatively place my hand on his shoulder. This time, he allows it, and I slide my other arm around his waist, resting my face against his back. I wish I could siphon the hurt and anger. But maybe this is enough for now. After some time passes, I release him and move back toward the room. "I'm going to get ready for the day." He just nods and lets me go.

A few hours later, we are standing amid organized chaos outside the main entrance to the palace saying good-bye to those closest to us. Nicoletta's eyes are wide, as if she finally realizes what she has offered us. "It's not too late to withdraw the invitation," I mention, as I give in to Griffin's request to pick him up. He's not overly affectionate, and I relish any time he wants me instead of Calix or Daddy. I nuzzle his cheek and make him giggle, "Mama's going to miss you." I let myself take a look at the crowd that is flying out today. Marlee, Everett, and Ben; Kenna and James and their three; Ethan, but not Georgia or August though they flank their only son; May sans her fiancé, Evan. Mom. My four with Paige. Kota stands to the side with Maxon and Aspen. Carter hovers next to his wife and boys. The children are beyond excited. Auntie Nic can be depended upon for quite a bit of fun on a normal day.

Nicoletta responds, "I am not worried. If anything, we will schedule a grand European tour." She winks at me, "I have people that do that, you know."

I smile, as my other small son yanks at my knee. I juggle both boys, one on each hip. They work their hands through my hair and across my face. I will even miss them pulling my hair out of its twist. Mom goes to Kota and hugs him, I hear her say, "Oh, I am so excited I get to see your French masterpiece now. Are you sure you won't come with us?" He defers and she has to be content that he is not joining them.

A howl breaks out across the cacophony. Everett and Abrielle stand in the middle of the drive, locked in battle. "Mama, she hit me!"

Marlee patiently turns to the two, "And what did you do immediately before she hit you?"

"I said she is a baby and can't sit next to me," Everett's eyes are serious. Everyone who is over the age of twelve tries valiantly not to laugh.

Marlee turns to me, "There is always something that happens immediately before the action." She rolls her eyes, making sure that Everett can't see her. She turns back to the two, working them through their latest scuffle.

Marlee's statement catches my attention, and I replay it over and over in my mind throughout the farewell. As the door to the last car is closed, something clicks. Maxon has already returned to the palace, Kota, Aspen, Carter, and August at his side.

I grab Georgia's hand, "I'm going to be late to the meeting. I'll be there as soon as I can." I rush back into the palace intent on making it to my office, and thankful for Marlee's statement that spawned my idea.