Zachary's POV

I woke up a few hours before dawn and beside me, Phoebe slept on blissfully. I thought of watching her sleep but realized that would be downright obsessive but I didn't want to leave yet. I waited so very long for this opportunity after all. When she stirred, I quickly laid back on the bed and pretended to still be sleeping. I felt her wave her hand over my face and I strived to remain still.

"You are awake, aren't you?" She asked and I ignored her. "I guess you are still asleep then so I can do whatever I want." She mused. I suddenly felt her breath on my face and then her finger running down the side of my face. "Should I kiss you? That would be assault though." She tried moving away but I reached out and held her around her wrist.

"Why would that be assault? Go on ahead if you want to." I said as I sat up.

"So, you were awake." She smirked and I realized I just fell for a ruse.

I released my hold on her wrist and cleared my throat. "Of course I would wake up when you were talking so loudly."

"Is that so?" She asked with disbelief.

"Of course." I said and looked away from her.

"Alright. Since you are awake now, you can go. Good morning." She said with a sarcastic smile.

"It is 3.30am in the morning." I said pointing to the digital clock in her bedroom.

"But it's morning all the same. Leave. I will be out for jogging by 5.30am, the normal time."She informed.

"So, what are you going to do from now until then?" I asked.

"None of your business." She replied coolly. I nodded and got off the bed.

"See you later then." I said.

"Yup. See you later Zach." She said and I reluctantly left for my room. Once inside, I shut the door behind me and wondered what sort of girl Phoebe was. She was not normal. What kind of girl spends a night with a dude in her bedroom and nothing happens? And in the morning, she sends you off without so much as a peck and by morning, I mean 3am? She sure knows how to leave me hanging.

I decided not to dwell on it and diverted my attention to the many other things that demanded my attention. The very first thing being that I needed to see my father after washing up after the jogging to discuss Phoebe's birthmark and other issues that he needed me to oversee. Today was a Wednesday and in three days, Phoebe would be leaving. Whatever ground was left to cover in her basic training had to be completed within today and tomorrow.

The morning jog was not awkward at all, thankfully and Phoebe's speed only slightly increased but she tired out easily and we had to call it a day.

"You need to work on your endurance Phoebe." I told her after Elaine went in. She had teased Phoebe a bit because of Sara.

"I know but in my defense, it's Sara's fault. She used up a lot of energy yesterday."

"Which is why you should have slept longer." I said.

"I couldn't." She replied.

"Bad dreams?" She shook her head. "What is it then?"

"Not sure but don't worry. I will take a nap later." She said. I nodded and watched her go on in before going on ahead myself.

*****

I watched dad think. His jaw was set and his expression grim. Occasionally, he would use his fingers to massage his temples. I had already told him about Phoebe's birthmark and for some reason, he had not seemed too shocked. Merely surprised but that was it. Now, he was thinking how to confirm if our suspicions could be true.

"We could easily conduct a DNA test but the problem would be obtaining a sample of DNA from an Ellington." He mused.

I thought about it too and indeed father was right. The royals are people who are VIPs and jealously guarded any medical information about themselves and they never trust one another with it unless...

"That's it." I said aloud. My father turned to me wearing a puzzled expression.

"What is it?" He asked.

"We can go about it by an unconventional means." I said.

"Zach, that is a wrong thing to do and I wouldn't support it but we need it and you go ahead and do what you have to but no matter what happens, don't you dare get caught. It's an order." Dad said sternly and I sent a small nod his way in affirmation.

"But dad, you seem confident that Phoebe could be related to the Ellingtons. Could I ask why that is?"

Dad took a deep breath. "That close lady friend of mine from years back whom I said Phoebe reminded me of was an Ellington." He admitted.

"Was? She died?" I asked and he nodded. "Who was she?" I asked.

"Viola Ellington. She was the original heir of the Ellingtons." He conceded.

"So, if all you said adds up, then Phoebe could turn out to be..."

"Her daughter. That child she never had before her disappearance and later demise." Dad finished. There was a brief moment of silence as the both of us turned over these things in our minds. "And Zach..." Dad called and I fixed my eyes on him. "Of all missions I have ever assigned to you in your life, this is the most discreet." He informed and I nodded in understanding.

I also shared with dad the incident with Michaela and Phoebe's alter egos and he was not happy about it.

"In the morning tomorrow, I have to teach her a very important skill so that something like this never happens again. For now, you cover anything and everything you haven't yet shown her. She's leaving in only three days after all." He said.

"I understand. I will do as you said."

Not long after I left my father's presence, I dialed up Xavier. His cell rang only once before he picked up.

"Hey bro, what's up?" He asked.

"I need your help. Meet me in the basement in ten minutes."

"Okay." He responded. Sounding quite unsure. I hung up and went out to the basement to see him. The basement was a small computerized, sound proof room where Xavier and I with Jaden would sometimes meet to discuss the most delicate issues and formulate a plan.

Twenty minutes later, Xavier stared back at me in disbelief.

"You want me to do what?" He asked quietly.

"Take Nicola out on a date." I blatantly delivered.

"For a moment there. I thought I heard you wrong but you are serious? What kind of mission is this? Dude, that chick can be a nut job. What are you trying to do to me?" He asked.

"Xav, please. You need to so that you can obtain her bio metrics and samples for taking a DNA test." I informed.

"But for what exactly. Man, am lost here." He effused.

"I know but trust me man. I will tell you all about it later."

"Why can't you tell me about it now?" Xavier asked.

"Because it is quite shocking but I promise to tell you everything once we figure out exactly what's going on." I said.

Xavier stared at me for a while before looking away and taking a deep breath.

"How soon do I need to complete this... thing?" He asked.

"As quickly as possible. You can do that, right?" I asked.

"You are lucky today. I ran across Nicola yesterday at a supermarket. She was out purchasing cereals."

"You spoke to her?" Xavier nodded in response.

"I did. She was okay. Simply said she craved them and even seemed quite warm. I told her that I will see her around. She didn't seem repelled by the idea."

"Good. Do you still have her cell number?" I asked.

"Yup. I will dial her up but you owe me one." Xavier said.

"I know." I replied.

Nicola Ellington-Stewart was the second child and daughter of the Ellington's second daughter and current heir, Monique Ellington-Stewart. Nicola was a stunning blonde with refreshing green eyes, a calm unpredictable personality and a very calculative mind. I did fear for Xavier who was going out to meet her. He had to watch his every move since she 'd suspect him at any point in time. She went to Seradon and like us, was in her final year in high school.

After I was done with a few other things, I met with Phoebe in one of the training rooms we were scheduled to use. She was dressed in shorts, a tank top and running shoes, normal training outfit and she looked bright.

"You look ready for this class." I voiced out.

"I am." She said. "What will I be learning today?" She asked.

"You should be able to tell when a person is in disguise or pretending to be someone they are not."

"I don't quite understand." She said.

"There are other shape shifters apart from Phoebe and though I am by far better than them. They are still shape shifters and the revolution have quite a number of them. The focus of this lesson would be for you to learn to identify a fake subtly and take them out before they can get to you or escape if you are outnumbered." I said. She nodded in understanding. "Very good. Now, I will shape shift into many people you know and have conversed with and know very personal things about them. That is your key to finding out. And when you find out, you have to come at me and take me out."

"Zach, I can't beat you." Phoebe said.

"Perhaps but you can beat them or you can use your head. Employ whatever means is necessary and do it right. You can also just disarm me. Let me share with you a little secret about shape shifters? Provided you are not in your original state, you are limited in some ways and have your energy easily drained."

"So, does that mean you only shift when you absolutely need to?" Phoebe asked.

"That is about right. Am glad you are getting it." I paused. "First up." I took a deep breath and shut my eyes. I conjured up an image of Lexi and swiftly shifted into her before opening my eyes to meet that of an amazed Phoebe.

"Wow. Man you are good. It looks just like Lexi. You even captured the freckles under her eyes." Phoebe praised.

"Hi sis." I said trying to talk like Lexi.

"It's the same voice. I suddenly miss my sister but since you look like her," Phoebe hugged me, well Lexi and I, unsure how Lexi would react hugged her back but as soon as I did that, Phoebe pulled back and very swiftly, folded my hands behind my back and made my front body crushed against a wall.

"Nice try there but Lexi would never ever hug me back right away." She moved away, releasing me. I changed back to my form and turned to her but I couldn't resist flexing my wrists where she 'd held me.

"Good job but why did you have to hold my wrist so tight? It feels like you have a personal grievance against me."

"I do." She delivered.

"You have deceived for way too long and I have to get back at you, so watch your back." She said with a mischievous grin.

"Learn to forgive Phoebs. Up next, I easily conjured Elaine and I watched Phoebe's brows furrow."

"You are a cheater till the end. Elaine is your sister and you know her better than  I do." She sulked.

"Give it a try." I said with my own voice.

She sighed and walked closer but stopped at a safe distance.

"Elly, I feel like such a horrible person. I made out with Zach and I liked it." She said and try as hard as I could, a small smile erupted across my lips and in a flash, I was down on my butt with Phoebe hovering over me.

"Elly would be grossed out if I ever told her that or excited but she would never smile or give out no expression." Phoebe said and stepped away.

I changed back and changed into Daniel.

"Danny, really?" She looked at me for a while and blurted, "Have you eaten? There are apple pies." She said.

I frowned and realized what she did. Danny would never turn down food. She was brilliant. Before she could attack me, I swiftly changed into the doe eyed blonde from before, was it Jack or Jude?

"Joe?" She asked wide-eyed.

I shyly scratched behind my ear and grinned toothily. She was speechless. I slowly approached her with my shoulders hunched. She still looked like she had seen a ghost. I backed her against a wall and folded her hands behind her even as she was face to face with me.

"Gotcha." I said and she blinked.

"Spanners and screw jacks, you won." She breathed. I changed back to myself and grinned.

Sorry for the late post. Thanks for reading. Good morning people and today is my birthday.