AN: 2 Chapters going up tonight! Thank you for all the truly amazing, wonderful, insightful and caring reviews! You guys are the greatest! -Wild
Liat was quiet for a long moment thinking and then asked, "If I was not dreaming last night… did Malachi really tell me that he loved me? With actual words? In front of others?"
Ziva smiled softly at the look in Liat's eyes, "Yes, he really did."
"So he knows that I am pregnant now as well." Liat tried to remember the events of last night more clearly but everything was still fuzzy, she knows that he saw her naked obviously pregnant body if the rescue were in fact, real. Ziva nodded softly that was true, he did know. "Does he know the baby is his?" She asked swallowing hard. Asa had known the truth, and if Malachi and Asa both worked together to find and bring her home, it meant that Malachi likely knew the truth as well by now. It had been two months since she'd last seen everyone and she knew a great many things had likely happened in her absence.
"He does." Ziva nodded softly, carefully holding Liat's hand in support.
"Is he very angry with me? For not telling him." Liat asked with tears welling in her eyes and speaking in hushed whispers.
"No," Ziva shook her head softly giving her a small encouraging smile, "I think he understands your reasoning now. Especially with all we've learned in the last couple of months. I think he understands ultimately you were trying to protect your child."
"Illan told me…that I was having a girl. Is that true?" Liat asked quietly with hand moving to caress her baby belly through the soft cotton hospital gown. "I have dreams that it is a girl… I believe that it is a girl, I just, don't know anymore what is real and what isn't." Her brows furrowed in confusion as she tried to understand all that had happened.
"He was telling the truth on that. You are having a girl." Ziva smiled more widely as tears slid down her cheeks, "We both are."
"You," Liat's eyes widened in surprised, "Are having a baby too?" She reached forward grabbing Ziva's arms gently holding her dark eyes intently knowing what it meant for Ziva to have a child.
"I am." Ziva smiled again with a soft nod, "As it turns out, Tony and I made a baby the first weekend we were ever together." She shrugged slightly with a growing smile.
"The weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival?" Liat asked with raised eyebrows and Ziva nodded. "Oh that is fantastic!" She laughed softly for the first time in a long time with tears of joy in her eyes. "So fitting and perfect!"
Ziva couldn't help but laugh softly and cry more too, hearing Liat's laughter and seeing her smile again. She had enjoyed teasing Ziva and Tony so much over that weekend and their canceled plans, unable to get enough of each other after first contact they had bailed on everyone else that weekend and it always brought many smiles to their faces. Especially Liat's.
"So when is your baby due? You are also having a girl?" Liat asked smiling softly, so genuinely happy for Ziva.
"Around Christmas actually. Our daughters," Ziva got choked up thinking about it and smiled, brushing her hand gently down the side of Liat's face, "Will be nearly the same age, Liat."
"Like sisters." Liat smiled softly and then reached up, touching Ziva's face gently in much the same way Ziva was holding hers, "Tali…was my twin?" She asked carefully trying to piece more of the puzzle together of what was lies and what was truth that Illan had told her.
"Yes," Ziva nodded softly, "You were twins. My father," Ziva paused swallowing hard and correcting herself, "Our father…told our mother, that you died at birth. Abby ran our DNA. We are a 100% genetic match for sharing both parents."
"He killed my family?" Liat asked quietly with more tears falling trying to take in all that this information meant.
"Yes," Ziva nodded sadly with more tears falling as well, "And our mother." She added softly thinking of her as well.
They both sat quietly a moment thinking about it before Liat had to push it aside, unable to dwell on it any further at this time as it was too overwhelming.
"If I was not dreaming, there is something I do not understand." Liat began slowly shaking her head thinking about the previous night, "I swear, Ziva…there was a…beautiful angel… dressed in black leather who freed me from my chains." She saw the face of the woman before her flash through her mind.
Ziva chuckled softly, smiling through her tears and shaking her head, "No, you were not wrong. She was there."
"The angel in black leather?" Liat asked in a near whisper with widening eyes.
"Yes," Ziva smiled with a soft nod. "Her name is Julia. But she is known as The Phoenix."
"But in my mind, she broke the chains simply by looking at them and…melting them away. That is not possible, Ziva." Liat shook her head softly in confusion, wondering if this were just a hallucination.
"I know it is very confusing, Liat." Ziva answered softly with a supportive smile and reassuring hand cupping the side of her face gently, "But that was real. What you saw was real."
"How?" Liat gasped with widening eyes. "Is she…really an angel?"
Ziva smiled with a soft shrug, "She may be." She swallowed hard with new tears unsure of how to clarify what Julia really was, "I do not know. What I do know, is that she is a Gift from God, never to be taken for granted." More tears fell from her eyes as she choked on the emotions she was trying to hold back in thinking of all that Julia had done for her life already.
Liat seemed stunned into silence and lay back with her hand resting protectively over her baby belly with thumb grazing back and forth, while maintaining her hold on Ziva's hand; her tether to reality.
"Is Illan gone now?" She asked quietly after a moment thinking about the man who had taken her prisoner.
"He is." Ziva nodded softly, sighing and then shifting her weight on the edge of the bed, "Julia…killed him." She thought of that moment when she froze, unable to shoot another brother after what he'd said to her that clenched her heart, reminding her so much of Ari. That all they both really wanted was their father's love and to be part of a real family. She quickly had to push any further thoughts of him aside as she wasn't ready to deal with the truths he had given her before his grisly death.
"And the Cigarette Man?" Liat asked as another lone tear slid down her cheek, unable to look at Ziva when she asked.
Ziva knew in that moment that one of her worst fears upon seeing the man at the compound had been confirmed. She shared something else with her sister. They had both been tortured in the same ways by this man.
"I shot him between the eyes." Ziva answered with an anger-tinged voice, speaking through her tears and wanting to share the justice this man deserved with Liat.
Liat squeezed her hand softy still unable to look at Ziva, "Good." She answered softly with a small head nod. The visions of the man above her would haunt her dreams for some time to come. Her own memories of him, had intermingled of the stories that Ziva had told of her time, being tortured by the same man. "When can I go home?" She finally turned to look at Ziva.
"I'm not sure. Likely in a couple of days. They want to make sure you are well enough to travel any further." Ziva smiled rubbing her hand gently up and down Liat's forearm in a soothing motion, knowing exactly what Liat was feeling having been there before. "Where is home to you now, Liat?" She asked and saw Liat's confused expression, "Bodnar is gone. Your vow and Aliyah to me…are fulfilled." She smiled with new tears in her eyes, "You are free to go back to Israel now…if you choose." She paused inhaling softly and then smiling, "Or stay a bit longer…or even," Her eyes twinkled, "forever."
Liat smiled softly at Ziva's invitation and gripped her hand more tightly, "I honestly do not know right now. I am still trying to understand that this is real. That you, are real. I was not sure I would ever be free to come home to anywhere again."
"I understand. Completely." Ziva assured her with a soft smile. "You can take your time to work things out. I won't be going anywhere." She ran her hand down the side of Liat's face again. "When you asked if you could go home. Where exactly were you picturing if I may ask?"
"D.C." Liat answered quietly, "It was the last place I felt…sure of." She answered trying to understand why she would think of that as home and wanting to go back there. "It was the last place that made sense."
Ziva understood this as well, "After Somalia," She began and then paused, swallowing the lump in her throat and looking at their conjoined hands and the bandages around Liat's wrists, "I needed to go back to the last place that made sense too. The last place, I knew I could trust…when I couldn't trust myself yet. Trying to sort through all the pieces."
"Yes," Liat answered quietly, "That is how I feel…though I didn't know exactly what it was until you just described it perfectly." She sighed and asked, "Is it okay? That I do not know what to do right now?" Her dark eye implored Ziva for some direction. "Everything is still very confusing and I still feel like this is just a dream."
"It is okay." Ziva reached forward and gently touched Liat's face again, knowing how much the simplest forms of human touch and gentle contact meant after enduring such harsh treatment at the hands of others for months who only wanted to hurt you. "You do not have to decide anything right now. If you want to go back to D.C. and start over from where you last fell sure of yourself, then that is okay; and understandable. I will help you with whatever you need."
"I do not think I am ready to make any decisions about Malachi or Asa right now. I do not trust my head…or my heart." Liat shook her head with new tears, "I need to speak with them and then…" She paused, "And then I do not know." Her voice was barely above a whisper, "I do not know." She shook her head sadly at feeling lost.
"It's okay." Ziva pulled her in for a hug gently wrapping her arms around Liat carefully and running her hand softly down the back of Liat's head and long hair draping down her back. "It will be okay." She held her protectively rocking slightly as Liat cried softly.
Ziva held her for several minutes letting her cry and reassuring her that it would be okay, that she was real and Liat was safe. Gently holding her and touching her in comforting ways knowing how important that was after what she'd been through. She wanted her to feel safe and Ziva couldn't help but cry thinking of her own protective big sister instincts that had shown themselves with Liat, before ever knowing she was really her sister, now coming out in full force after learning she was. She would be there for her in all the ways, she wished someone had been there for her. Ziva had hidden her pain from everyone in returning from Somalia, she didn't want Liat to have to do the same. She had too much good to look forward to, to get buried beneath such a heavy burden carrying it alone.
"You should probably rest." Ziva suggested knowing how exhausted Liat really was from her condition. She gently helped her to settle back against her pillows. "Can I get you anything?"
"No," Liat shook her head softly, "I am tired though." She acknowledged and even Ziva took note of this significant change in the Liat of before. The one who could and would go for days without sleeping and protest that she was ever tired. Liat sighed deeply, "I should likely speak with Malachi. Tell him myself that this is his child I am carrying." She ran her hand once more over the baby belly, "I still cannot believe that he came for me." She shook her head softly, "That is breaking protocol, Ziva." Liat's voice held a hint of awe as she thought about Mossad's philosophy on their operatives getting captured. They normally wouldn't risk any more lives to save the one and only seek revenge after when the opportunity presented itself. "Especially since he is now the Director." She added thinking about how astonishing that really was.
"He loves you, Liat." Ziva added quietly remembering very well Liat's astonishment in one of their very fist conversations staying at Gibbs house, of how much Tony must have loved Ziva to go all the way to Africa and rescue her, even after so much had happened with Michael Rivkin. "He has been moving Heaven and Earth to help find you and bring you home." She added quietly, "They both have." Her eyes flashed to Liat's including Asa in this as well. "To save you, they have been working together since the beginning without fighting or arguing at all. It is very clear that the one thing they will always agree on, is your safety, and recognizing that they both love you, and you love both of them."
Liat was quiet listening to Ziva and running her hand soothingly over her own belly, taking comfort in the act as she had been doing for the last two months when she was alone, just she and the baby for hours, sometimes days in her cell. "I do love them both, Ziva." She spoke quietly.
"I know." Ziva answered just as quietly. "Take some time." She encouraged her knowing how scattered her mind and emotions were in this moment, "You'll know when its right and with whom, just give it time." She nodded softly with an encouraging smile to Liat, "Sleep and then I'll send one of them in to speak to you after? Is that okay?" She asked helping to tuck Liat back into her covers.
"Malachi first, please." Liat spoke quietly, "I cannot discuss anything with Asa until I first tell Malachi about the baby…and find out…where we stand." She sighed with her eyes feeling heavy and Ziva nodded in understanding. "Ziva!" She called out when Ziva stood about to leave and Liat's eyes flashed open.
"Yes," Ziva reached for her hand seeing the wild look in Liat's eyes.
"I…please… I do not…" Liat struggled to find the right words and more tears welled in her eyes, "I am afraid to fall asleep by myself." She finally admitted and couldn't believe she actually was. The mighty assassin afraid of nothing in the world was now needing to hold someone's hand to fall asleep, so unsure of her own reality anymore. "I am afraid that when I wake…this will all be a dream." She confessed with a new round of tears in her eyes.
Ziva sighed deeply and nodded, "Okay," She leaned over kissing Liat's forehead, "I understand completely. I will stay with you until you fall asleep. I promise." She nodded with a softy smile again, "It is okay. I will be here."
Liat sighed in relief as Ziva sat back down again and held her hand. "Please keep the lights on." She asked Ziva afraid to be cast back into the darkness once more and Ziva nodded she would keep them on. Ziva's thumb was gently caressing the back of Liat's hand in a comforting gestures and soon, Liat was asleep again.
Ziva waited quite some time until she was sure that Liat was in a deep sleep and then gently pulled her hand away, leaning over she smiled softly and kissed Liat's forehead with her own tears of happiness and relief in her eyes. "My sister." She breathed quietly in Hebrew and kissed Liat's forehead once more before slipping out of the room.
As expected, several eager faces and tense bodies greeted her on the other side of the door.
"She's asleep again." Ziva immediately spoke seeing the anxious looks in both Asa and Malachi's eyes wanting to see her and speak with her.
"How is she?" Gibbs asked quietly as Ziva took a seat beside he and Tony once more. He knew that Liat was bound to be confused and scared given all she'd been through.
"Confused," Ziva smiled softly at him blinking back the tears, "And scared." She answered as if reading his mind. "She is still trying to process what is real and what is not. What is the truth and what was a lie." Ziva reached for Tony's hand, needing some reassurance of her own. "She wants to go home as soon as possible. To D.C."
The looks on Asa and Malachi's faces of upset were hard to miss.
"It is the last place she knows. The last place she felt safe and sure of herself and her life. It's important she goes back there to find her footing again." She tried to explain to them gently knowing they were hurt, wanting her back home in Israel. "Her life in D.C. made sense before all of this happened. It's just the starting place. She needs time." She looked at them both intently hoping they would understand and not try to push Liat too far and too fast, too soon. "Please don't push her to make any big decisions and expect answers. You will only regret it later. Liat needs time to sort through what happened to her first and deal with those emotions, before she can figure out what all of her other emotions mean."
"So you're saying we should not tell her how we feel?" Malachi asked trying very hard not to be upset about giving Liat more time when all he wanted to do was scoop her up into his arms and start a life together right away, not wanting to waste another second of life without her.
"I think you should be honest with her, yes. And tell her how you feel. But I do not think you should pressure her into responding or giving you any answers about where she stands." Ziva answered with a deep sigh, speaking truthfully. "She doesn't even know where she stands right now. Do you understand that? If you ask that of her right now, and force her to make a decision… you will not be getting the 'real' Liat's response. You will be getting the overwhelmed and traumatized Liat's response."
Both men thought this over for a moment, each avoiding eye contact but clearly agitated.
"How bad, Ziva?" Malachi asked finally as someone else who had once experienced torture. He knew that for Liat to be in this kind of condition, to be so lost as to need to start over and find her footing again; when before she was so uncertain, always very black and white, it had to have been very bad. It was not something he wanted to think about and had actively tried to ignore for his own sanity to this point in order to function enough to rescue her. Now that she was here, he needed to understand and hear the truth. Knowing that Ziva had suffered torture as well, he asked her honestly.
"Bad, Malachi." Ziva answered with new tears in her eyes speaking with a cracked voice full of emotion, "They may not have been able to electrocute her or severely beat her given her condition with the baby but…they found other ways to torture her." She added quietly and saw both men staring intently into her deep dark eyes.
"She was sexually assaulted…" Asa breathed barely above a whisper, needing to hear Ziva acknowledge that fear out loud.
Ziva only nodded and cast her eyes down as more tears slipped from her cheeks, hearing in her mind, Liat asking about what became of the 'Cigarette Man.' She knew his role in all of this too well. "Amongst other things." Ziva added quietly. "She is not ready to speak of that. So please, do not bring anything up unless she speaks of it first."
Everyone nodded solemnly in agreement and understanding though their hearts were breaking with the confirmation of this tragic news.
"Her mind is a mess right now. She was even afraid of my turning off the light and to fall asleep alone," Ziva began trying to explain why they needed to have patience, "Because she is so uncertain that this is real, she is afraid to wake and find her rescue a dream."
Gibbs, McGee, E.J. and Tony were all reeling to hear Liat being described this way. To know that the once fierce woman they'd all worked with and come to love in the last six months, the one afraid of nothing and so courageous as to run after and take down an Elite Assassin on her own…was now afraid the dark and needed someone to hold her hand as a tether back to reality, was devastating. Liat had been broken in many ways. She may not have been ready to give up and die as Ziva had been when they'd finally broken her, likely due to the fact she was pregnant and trying to protect her baby, had something to live for, but they'd broken her nonetheless in spirit and confidence in her self.
"How do we help?" Gibbs asked with a deep sigh, folding his arms over his chest and asking Ziva quietly, speaking from her own experience. Wishing he would have, had this insight into her after they'd brought her back from Somalia. He had told Ducky that Ziva would open in to them when she was ready and in time. She never did. She buried it. It wasn't until everything else began to happen in the past six months and her nearly dying again before she finally spoke of the truth and let it go.
"You treat her like normal but let her know you're there for her in whatever ways you can. You will know the moments that it is right and when she needs space. She will tell you what she needs. Maybe not directly, but she will give you signs." Ziva answered thinking about her own healing process.
"The one thing I can tell you is, do not hesitate to touch her or seem like you are hesitant at all. She has been deprived of a loving human touch for months. She needs it right now to heal and feel safe. A hug, a gentle caress with a smile, or kiss to her head," Ziva's eyes flashed to Gibbs with a small teary smile acknowledging how much that gesture meant to her, "Reminds her of love and care and that she is not alone and that not all touch is bad. Be gentle." Her eyes flashed back to both Asa and Malachi, sending the silent message to each not to push that physical touch with Liat too far. "Give her options to bring you in closer or push you away if she's feeling overwhelmed and do not take it personally if she does. Especially as you are men, she may hold you back longer. She means no harm." Ziva paused and inhaled softly shaking her head, "She just needs time. Give her time."
"Okay." Malachi nodded in understanding, promising Ziva with this word that he would not push Liat and find his patience. Asa did the same.
"She did laugh though and smile," Ziva smiled through unshed tears shaking her head at how wonderful that was to see and hear again, "To hear that Tony and I were also expecting a baby." Her dark eyes flashed to Tony's with a smile, "And when that happened exactly."
Those who recalled that weekend all chuckled softly in remembering and it lit their hearts to recall Liat's beautiful smile and laughter that evening when getting off the phone with Ziva, to hear her cancelling on their plans. The woman in that memory seemed so very different then the one they'd found in the cell.
Ziva saw all their smiles fall and fade in thinking about then and now. "Hey," She bounced her knee with a smile off Tony's and glanced around at all of their faces, "She will be okay." She smiled more widely with a soft head nod, "In time, I was okay…and she will be too."
Tony leaned in and kissed her head with a soft smile, taking a deep breath feeling comforted by that truth. Ziva was okay in time and if Liat were anything like her sister, as they knew she already was, she would be too.
The connecting doors in the hallway opened and Katherine, William and Prince Edward all emerged again wearing soft smiles. Whatever they'd been discussing had put them into a better moods and the tension that was there before and left at least for now.
Katherine smiled at their group gathered as they approached. "How is she?" She asked about Liat and showed signs of real concern.
"She and the baby are both doing well." Ziva answered as the one to have seen her, "A bit confused and scared but… alive." She sobered quietly with a soft head nod, as that was the main thing, "Thank you, so much for all that you've done in helping us to get her back. We could not have done this without you or Julia."
"I was happy to help but this really was all Julia." Katherine shy away from taking any credit with a soft head shake, "She wanted to help you and make things right, Ziva. The credit should be given to her alone."
"When she wakes, I will tell her." Ziva nodded with a soft smile sharing an intent look with Katherine that spoke of her belief and confidence that Julia would heal and Ziva would be able to tell her in person of her gratitude. "Liat believes she is an angel." She added softly with an amused grin, "In black leather of course." She laughed softly and Katherine did as well, reaching out to hold Ziva's hand and giving it a soft squeeze of support.
"She is an angel." Katherine smiled softly and then shifted her gaze to William and Edward beside her, "Now that things are a little more calm, I would like to formally introduce all of you to my husband, former United States President William Thorne. And to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Edward." She added softly while they all sat a little straighter at the formal introduction as was customary given first introductions. "William and Edward, allow me to introduce to you, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, Special Agent Ziva David, Special Agent Erica Jane Barrett, Special Agent Timothy McGee, and Israeli Shabak Officer Asa Abrams and the Director of Mossad Malachi Ben-Gideon." She went down the long line with each of them shaking hands with each man.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you all." William smiled, "Kate has had many good things to say about all of you, even you Agent DiNozzo." He laughed softly at the look on Tony's face in surprise that Katherine would say anything good about him given how many times he insulted her and Julia and was responsible for her daughter's current condition, "She said that you reminded her of me in many ways."
"Oh, ah, well…thank you, Mr. President." Tony gulped and shifted in his seat, with eyes flashing to Katherine who smiled softly at him. "That's actually the first time I've ever said that…feels very strange." He rambled realizing what he was saying out loud, "To say thank you, Mr. President." He said it again and William laughed shaking his head. "And now I'm rambling again."
"You do sound like me, Agent DiNozzo." He smiled, "Kate has been good for my rambling over the years. She just has to send me a certain look and I know to be quiet now." He added and everyone laughed this time except Katherine who only flashed her eyes at her husband with a tight-lipped smile. "Perhaps, Ziva in time will have the same or similar look for you." William added knowing the two were engaged to be married.
"She already does." Tony added looking at Ziva, who immediately gave him the look he was speaking of and everyone laughed again softly to see the demonstration. "She gave me that look the first day we ever worked together."
"Oh, Kate too." William smiled, "It just took me years to figure out that after the look, I really should be quiet."
"Tony too." Ziva added with a smile and everyone laughed. It felt good to laugh again and break the tension.
The laughter didn't last long when the doors to the elevator opened and a very tall and formidable looking man stepped forward followed by his own guards wearing a very displeased expression and clenching jaw.
"Hello father." Edward greeted the man with a sigh and everyone gulped sitting back in their' chairs to see Prince Louis step towards him.
"Where is he?" Louis asked clearly upset. "The boy has no business here."
"The boy… is a man now, father. And he has every right to be here." Edward took a stand against his own father in defense of his son, "Julia will always be the mother of his children."
"Step aside, Edward." Louis commanded stepping around his son and heading towards the end of the hallway where he could see his grandson's guards posted and waiting outside one of the rooms. "Henry was made clear of the rules regarding his contact with that devil woman."
"That woman has a name, father. Julia." Edward answered him back clearly upset himself and stepped to the side to block his father from advancing. "And she is not a devil."
Katherine's Mama Bear demeanor was clearly taking over hearing her child described as such and the steely formidable woman they all knew came to life before them with her defenses up.
"He is not to be alone with her." Louis challenged his son, "Who is in there with them now?"
"He is spending time with the children." Edward answered, "And meeting his daughter for the first time. I will not have you ruining this moment for him."
"That child is exactly the reason they are never to be left alone, Edward!" Louis roared back angrily, "He is married to someone else, as is she!"
"Since when has that ever stopped anyone in this family from being in love with another and having a child together?" Edward asked honestly and everyone else's mouths dropped open a little to hear that bit of known dirty laundry actually aired before them. "Not a single marriage in our family was made for love, except Henry's to Julia before you had it annulled." He paused feeling his own anger getting away from him, "Not one of us was allowed to marry the person we were actually in love with and look at how much heartache and devastation that brought about."
"I do not care for the boys' heartache and personal devastation. I care about his duties and responsibilities!" Louis fired back and it echoed down the hallway.
"That's right, grandfather. We are to marry those responsibilities and keep those we actually love as our mistresses on the side. Isn't that right?" Henry's voice fired back from down the hall and everyone froze looking between the two.
Tony couldn't help but think he was watching the royal version of the showdown at the O.K. Corral in the famous Western film Tombstone, seeing the standoff before them now between Henry and his grandfather.
"Henry, we are not going to get into this here." Louis argued back with his face visibly turning red and looking at those in the hospital chairs watching the entire exchange, as if only realizing now they were having this conversation in the open. "We are leaving now."
"No, I'm not leaving. I am going to spend time with the woman I love while she heals, comfort my son and spend time holding my daughter." Henry answered with defiance and everyone watched as Kristoff came out of the room to stand behind Henry, looking slightly startled and afraid at the loud voices and argument.
"You are leaving now, Henry. You know the rules put forth about contact with her. You have already broken them I'm sure by being alone with her and likely touching." Louis argued. "You know the consequences for breaking these rules."
"Of for Christ-sake, grandfather!" Henry fired back clearly losing his patience with the threats, "Julia is unconscious and in a hospital bed in grave condition! There is nothing sinister in your eyes going on here! Just what do you think I will do alone with her in this condition?"
"Watch it, boy." Louis tone was like ice, "you are getting dangerously close to not having any further contact with her or them here at all if you continue in this manner. I will forbid you to see them!"
Tony and Gibbs both watched Kristoff's reaction closely; the other adults arguing had their backs to him save Louis who obviously didn't care and Tony finally made a move, whispering to Gibbs, "He shouldn't be listening to this." And then stood, making his way quietly and quickly passed Henry towards Kristoff at the end of the hall. Ushering him back inside Julia's room and closed the door behind.
"The last time I checked, grandfather…" Henry answered stalking forth slowly with fire in his eyes, "Grandmother was still the Queen and she…has the last word."
A loud silence filled the space as the two zeroed in on each other with Henry's reminder of who had the real power.
"If not for yours and Ulric's tampering, Julia would still be my wife! My future Queen." Henry's voice was like venom, "She was grandmother's choice for me and more importantly, mine! You destroyed my family and brought about this situation, not me!" He pointed his finger at Louis, "And not Julia! You! There would be no secret love affairs or children if you had let us be! You have spent a ridiculous amount of time, energy and resources over the years just to keep us apart! And for what really? Where has that gotten you or any of us?" Henry stopped walking and glare at the old man, "Some day you will be gone, grandfather…and I will do as I please."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Louis countered.
"That if I want to divorce Elizabeth when you're gone and marry Julia, I will if she'll have me." Henry answered with a small smile and challenge to his voice. "I don't care if that's twenty years from now. I will still love her and marry her!"
"You will do no such thing." Louis countered with a voice like steel, not liking the challenging young man before him.
"You won't be able to stop me." Henry threw back in his face. "You won't be here. Even you can't live forever, grandfather."
"If you keep pushing, boy, I will make sure she isn't here either." Louis stared with deadly intent directly into Henry's eyes.