a/n:

- this is a 2-part chapter; the second part will be uploaded later this evening.

- from this chapter forward, Logan's agency will be abbreviated as "CSD" (Chamber of Security and Defense). I've gone back and edited the chapters that I started referencing it as "NCSD" but they are the same organization, I just added another letter at the beginning for some reason. 

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Code: Zero?

My head snapped up. Meanwhile, Logan unwound his arms from around me and got to his feet. "Jasper Bishop has been kidnapped," he said into the phone. His frown deepened. "Yes, I'm aware that he's just -- it doesn't matter! We have to institute a Zero protocol immediately, Wilson!"

Why was he calling a Code: Zero? That was a national security protocol reserved in situations that threatened the life of a royal. Right now, in the world's eyes, Jasper was only a Bishop. Hell, even I was still struggling to wrap my head around the fact that he was my little brother. Even with my -- no, I guess our  -- mother, the Crown Princess, as his legal guardian, it still wasn't enough to confer the status of royalty on him. The Chamber of Security and Defense could only issue a Code: Yellow if the person at risk was a noble. 

You know, someone should really petition for a name change on these codes.  Yellow. Zero. Where was the consistency? 

Logan, still arguing with this Wilson, fished out his wallet and displayed it on the counter. A closer look at the ID card and badge inside had the attendant and security guards paling. 

"Close off the museum," Logan commanded, holding the phone away from his ear while Wilson's unintelligible hollering blasted through the speakers. "I want all entrances and exits guarded with at least two officers. None of the guests are permitted to leave until they've passed an inspection." 

I tensed up. He could only get away with this if he told everyone the truth. 

Wait a minute. How did Logan know in the first place?

With onefrantic phone call from the attendant, the intercom speakers crackled overhead. A woman spoke, her voice clear and steady as she informed visitors that the nation was entering Zero protocol. "Please remain calm and make your way to the front entrance. All guests must clear a security check in order to leave." 

Naturally, people did not stay calm. Instant arguing ensued, driving the noise in the halls several decibels upwards. The words "what the hell is going on?" were tossed up and down the crowds, words ignored by the security guards herding everyone into thick, disorderly lines. 

My eyes remained trained on Logan's towering figure. Now that I was thinking about it, Logan had been ready to call in the Code: Zero when I collapsed. He could've only been able to do that had he been prepared with the knowledge of who Jasper was beforehand. 

"I don't care, Wilson! If you're so worried about it, then I'll take full responsibility. A kid's life is at stake here -- we have to have the roadblocks up within half an hour."

That was a little rude of my parents, telling Logan and not their actual children about Jasper's bloodline. Maybe it was a matter of security -- by letting my bodyguard know, it would spur him to protect both Jasper and me in case something happened.

No, that was stupid. That meant every single bodyguard I'd ever had was walking around with a secret that could not only cripple the royal family, but could also sell for millions. 

Was it because Logan was my father's best friend's son? But even so, "best friend's son" shouldn't trump "biological children." And the more I tried to figure out how Logan could've possibly known, a quiet fury started festering at the bottom of my chest. 

My parents. My grandmother. Elijah, too -- he had to have known. And now even Logan? Everyone around Jasper and me had just been lying to us for years. 

Logan's arm finally dropped to his side, and he tucked his phone into his pocket. It was just the two of us in the small lobby. While the sigh that escaped his body was rife with frustration and heaviness, he managed to lighten his gaze when he looked to me. 

"What're you still doing on the ground, Sparrow?" he asked, holding out a hand. 

I stared at his palm. "Why did you call a Code: Zero?"

He stared back. "Because . . . Jasper was kidnapped." 

"You know you're supposed to call in a Code: Yellow."

"I would've thought you wanted the protocol that would dedicate more resources to finding your brother--"

"So you admit you know he's my brother." I squished the folder tighter against my chest. "How did you know that?" 

Logan's reaction wasn't what I quite expected. I'd predicted a widening of eyes, a paling of his complexion as he struggled to tell the truth. Instead, Logan crouched to the ground, one knee grazing the marble floors, and with an exasperated look, he pushed a finger against my head.

"Breathe." 

I stared. He stared. I lost. So, I gave a deep, and his gaze softened.

"I read the file over your shoulder, Sparrow. I didn't know before this, I swear." 

Oh. 

What a stupidly simple, obvious answer.

"Sorry," I muttered, accepting his hand. Logan hauled me to my feet. "I never realized you were right behind me." 

"Don't apologize." Logan gripped my wrist with a comforting squeeze. "No one would be able to think straight either if they found out what you just did."

My anger was fast subsiding, but I continued to eye Logan with mild suspicion as I took in the emotion on his face. Or rather, the lack of emotion. 

"Not anyone," I pointed out. "How come you don't look that surprised?"

Logan looked like he hadn't noticed his own indifference until now. "Oh," he said, pursing his lips. "It's because at the main chamber building, there's this, I guess, 'Hall of Fame' leading to my father's office. You've been there, you've seen them, right?"

"Are you capable of ever just answering a question or must you walk me through your deduction like this is a Sherlock Holmes short story?"

That got me a scowl. "It's a hall of portraits. Your father's picture, it's right by my father's door, and--"

"Jasper's the spitting image of him." A small crack fractured within my chest. It used to be a joke between Jasper and me, how he'd absorbed the Sparrow genes through proximity. 

But I was out of time to reflect on all the neon signs I'd missed this past decade and a half. A sudden influx of heavy footsteps marched down the hall towards us. I turned to Logan, panic reemerging in my throat. 

"How are you going to convince them to maintain the Code: Zero?" Now it was my turn to latch onto him, my fingers gripping the sleeve of his jacket. "You're not going to tell them are you?" 

"What?" Logan exclaimed. "I cannot believe you think I would just exploit your family's secret like that--"

"Agent Cross!" 

A trio of men headed our way, led by a tall man, white streaks breaking up the movement of his shoulder-black hair. "Agent Cross!" he called out once more. 

"Back at the academy, you would've sold me out for a banana--"

"Yeah, you, not the royal family!"

"Logan!" The man stopped a few feet away. His blue eyes flickered to me, and it only took less than a second for him to collapse into a perfect bow. "Your Highness," he greeted solemnly, the other agents instantly following his lead. 

When he resumed his posture, he set his stern gaze on Logan, lips pressed into a hard line. 

"Wilson, thank you for arriving so--" Logan tried to say, but Wilson cut him off with a hand to the air. 

"Logan, we must call off the Code: Zero." 

Logan squared his shoulders, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "No." 

Wilson blinked, clearly taken aback by Logan's newfound disobedience. I had to admit, even I was skeptical at how Logan was going to argue his way against protocol -- the bread and butter of his moral compass. 

"No?"  Wilson repeated. "This is unlike you, Logan. A Code: Zero is a security protocol meant only for the endangerment of royalty -- you must know this. I understand that Jasper Bishop is a relative of the family, but legally, his kidnapping does not qualify a national lockdown of this level." 

As I waited for Logan's answer, I ended up squeezing the folder against my chest once more. Like it was my emotional support toy or something. 

"I'm aware, sir. But this is a fifteen-year-old-boy that's missing, and he's under the guardianship of the Crown Princess--"

"So we enact a Code: Yellow!"

"Sir, you know the differences in resources! The manpower alone for a Code: Zero is enough to search five of our largest cities--"

"Then he should've been born the prince!" Wilson shot. "Do you understand what will happen to you, to your clan, if you insist on this? The aristocracy will absolutely view this as the Cross family's political favoring of the royal family. All the goodwill your father has built up to restore the family rank will be wasted."

Logan's mouth clamped shut at the mention of his family.  He was biting down hard, judging by how much more prominent his jawline became. Still, there was a fire behind his eyes as he looked to me. Like he was telling me: don't worry  --I'm not giving up yet. 

I looked at Wilson. "It wasn't Logan's call," I said. "I'm the one who ordered him to call in a Code: Zero." 

A glint of sympathy flashed in Wilson's eyes, but his next words were as stern as ever. "I understand your desperation, Your Highness, but the law is the law. Not to mention the precedent this would set for future incidents." 

"What, so a royal order is going to be ignored just like that?" I asked. 

"While I'm sure that the princess will make for an excellent monarch in the future," and Wilson cocked a brow, "Your Highness does not possess any actual legal powers to override legislation." 

"Right," I concluded, "only the queen does."

Wilson tipped his head in agreement. 

God, I'd planned to go this whole summer without having to ask the queen for anything. Not even to pass the salt at the dinner table. But as the saying goes: desperate times call for desperate measures. 

"Alright." I pulled out my phone. "Let me call her then."

Wilson sputtered. I entered a '6' in the dial pad right as Logan pulled on my arm, yanking my thumb away from the 'call' button. But it was a difference voice chiming in that stopped me from calling.  

"There's no need to involve the queen at this point." 

I knew that voice. Kind of. It was vaguely familiar, but in the way that a fly you thought you killed was back to buzzing in your ear. 

Approaching the edge of our little tea party was another man, standing a few inches taller than both Logan and Wilson, though that was partly thanks to the thick soles of his combat boots. Instead of being clad in the chamber's standard bureaucratic suit with their tell-tale sky-blue tie fastened around his neck, this guy was in all-black tactical gear. A black and gold shield was sewn onto the breast of his bulletproof vest, the Blackwell's eagle emblem spread over the crest. 

"Nathaniel!" Logan exclaimed. "What're you doing here?" 

Oh, and to think this day couldn't have possibly gotten worse. 

"Yeah, what are you doing here? I don't believe anyone's in need of your special ability to ruin livelihoods," I muttered. Logan whipped his head in my direction, his mouth askew with shock--and dare I say, offense? Nathaniel, on the other hand, merely raised a pale brow, that irritating smile still on his lips. 

"Ever the drama queen, Park. I am actually here to deliver--" and he held two pieces of paper-- "an order from the queen. The Code: Zero is sustained -- with full support from the clans." 

Nathaniel handed the documents over to Wilson. From where I stood, I glimpsed the red royal seal stamped on one paper. The other one bore a metallic gold color, imprinting the same eagle from Nathaniel's uniform onto the paper. 

"Furthermore," continued Nathaniel, "the Duchess of Blackwell has graciously offered the full cooperation of the Blackwell Corps. Lady Abigail understands just how important family is, whether they're bound by legality or blood."

As if anyone in the clans was possible of being this altruistic. 

My eyes darted around the museum floors. True to Nathaniel's words, his presence had brought along a lot more bodies, many of them dressed in the same black tactical gear, their guns secured in straps against their chests and backs. 

"Understood. We'll get right on this," Wilson said, his demeanor no longer antagonistic as he saluted Nathaniel. 

"Wait." Without even asking, Nathaniel plucked my phone out of my hand and tossed it to Wilson, who (thankfully) caught it in his palms. "Take that to the security room. They're setting up surveillance there. Have them monitor the phone in case someone calls again." 

"You could've asked," I snapped, feeling a wave of anxiety at the loss of my phone. What if that guy called again? What if he put Jasper on the phone?

"You know," Nathaniel said, his voice needling my anxiety with irritation, "when the code was raised, I swore up and down: that's for Park, she probably ran away again. But surprise, surprise -- the little bird knows how to fly out of trouble for once." 

"How do you two know each other?" Logan asked. Nathaniel flashed a fraternal smile his way, a gesture that was too uncomfortably wholesome for me to observe. 

"Back in the day, I was in your position, Logan." Nathaniel winked at him. "Tortured for hours every day by her attempts to run away and get me in trouble." 

"Torture?" I could barely hold back the contempt in my words. "Is that what you call a salary increase that let you buy that fifty-thousand dollar watch? Or is it torture because you couldn't snitch your way into a noble title?" 

The shred of friendliness in his winter-hued eyes was melting fast. "I'll have you know I was promoted to this position by the queen herself. I'm now Lieutenant Morgan of the Blackwell Corps." 

"Would you look at that?" I smirked. "Lieutenant Morgan of CSD to Lieutenant Morgan of Blackwell. That's not really much of a promotion, is it? More like a transfer. I guess getting a dance teacher fired over sneakers doesn't get you that far, does it?" 

"That's enough," Logan said, stepping between the two of us. He faced Nathaniel, and from where I looked up from his side, I saw his mouth was set in a hard line. "Whatever bad blood there is between the two of you -- now is not the time to snark about it. I need to escort the princess to a safe house." 

Nathaniel stared. A curious gleam overtook his gaze as his eyes danced between the two of us, the corners of his lips threatening to twitch upwards. But finally, he shook his head and smoothed out his expression until that cold smile was back on his face. 

"You're right," conceded Nathaniel. "Now is not the time. I should actually be guiding you to the Crown Prince before you leave the museum."

"My parents?" Another fracture in my chest. My breathing shallowed. "Shouldn't they be on their way to their safe houses?"

Not answering me, Nathaniel sauntered down a different hall, one that led us further into the building. His heavy boots created an ominous rhythm that bounced threateningly off the walls, a sound meant more for a battlefield than the Impressionist Exhibition we passed through. 

Once the three of us turned a corner, Nathaniel tossed his arm around Logan, hauling him close. I grimaced. One more chummy smile and I would be experiencing the full effects of cognitive dissonance.

"You know, I'm a little peeved you didn't tell me you'd be on assignment in Cimeria this summer. I can't believe I had to find out from the news that you were the personal bodyguard for the princess." 

Logan snorted. "It was on a strictly need-to-know basis."

"Oh, please, you used to tell me everything." Nathaniel ruffled Logan's hair. "You'd call me up at least once during the summer and ask for a late-night drink."

"Yes, well, with clientele like the royal princess, I can't afford any distractions." 

Nathaniel feigned an arrow to his heart. "Distractions? Is that what your old trainer is now?" 

I have a strict no-alcohol policy, on and off hours, Logan had said to me. But there was something about Nathaniel that must've made Logan feel safe enough to be uninhibited for a few hours. That "something" was completely invisible to me, and would probably remain that way, but I couldn't deny the genuine camaraderie that existed between the two of them as they bent their heads together and laughed about those long nights in old bars.  

It was a completely different side to Logan that I'd never seen. A different type of sting prickled in my ribs. Is this what dissonance feels like? I would've thought it'd be more . . . dramatic.

"At the very least," Nathaniel sighed, "you could've given Sophia a heads up. She thought you wouldn't be returning to Cimeria this summer, so she took a course abroad. When she found out you came home after all, she was furious with me. Me!" 

Logan shifted underneath Nathaniel's arm. His head turned to the side, and I registered the moment he realized I wasn't next to him. He instantly looked over his shoulder, the alarm in his eyes cooling away when I waved at him.

"Who's Sophia?" I asked. Something about the pink color that rushed to Logan's cheeks suddenly made me incredibly regretful that I'd asked. 

"My little sister!" sang Nathaniel. In the year and a half Nathaniel spent as my bodyguard, the only emotion I ever gleaned from him was his cruel satisfaction in getting people fired. He'd never spoken of a sister, but the pride and love in his voice now had me fumbling in my steps. 

"She's been fighting with our parents to let her transfer to St. Cross's Academy for her last semester, but they're afraid it might wreck her chances of getting into Juilliard. As if her spot isn't already guaranteed." 

Hearing Nathaniel brag about his sister felt like having a knife twisted in my chest. As he sang about her solo concert at Carnegie Hall last spring, I wondered if my own brother was out there talking about me -- or if he'd forgotten all about the sibling he left behind. 

Siblings, I corrected. My mind jumped to Jasper. With how little he spoke to Elijah, did he ever feel abandoned like this, with no one to root for him along the way? Oxford. That's his dream college. If we get him back, I'll make sure to tell him--

If? My breath caught in my throat. When, I corrected. When we get him back--

But whatever I was going to promise myself, the thought vanished when Nathaniel braked quite suddenly at the edge of the corridor. In the sliver of space between Logan and him, I saw the royal couple standing at the other end of the hall in front of an open door. My mother's sobs were muted by my father's chest as he held her tightly in his arms, his chin tucked atop her black hair. 

With a profound understanding of the atmosphere, Nathaniel only bowed silently from his distance. When he spun on his heels and left, his boots moved considerably softer than they'd been on the way here. 

At the full sight of my parents, there was one final, resounding crack in my chest and a wall inside me came crashing down. But where there should've been rage flooding forward -- there was nothing. 

It was paralyzingly numbing how hollow I felt. Somewhere in my body, I knew of a venomous rage I was supposed to be feeling, but I couldn't summon it forward. Nothing could cut through the deadened space within my ribs. 

I was distantly aware of Logan gingerly placing his fingers above the back of my waist and guiding me forward. At the sound of our approach, my father's eyes focused, and relief crossed his face. He whispered something to my mother. She lifted her head, a tear-stained smile gracing her lips at the sight of me. 

"Park!" she cried out, detangling herself from my father to rush towards me. Her body collided with mine, her arms pulling me into a tight embrace. 

Hot tears dripped down my neck. My mother was shuddering uncontrollably, and her fingers laced through my hair, holding me as though I was going to disappear at any second. 

Still nothing.

"What happened?" my mother asked, pulling away while her hands cupped my face. Her thumbs swept under my eyes as if there were tears to brush. I could see her register that something was off, but she said nothing about it. "Why was Jasper even at the museum? He told me he was going to the bookstore."

"I got him a ticket for an exhibit tour." The words slipped out of me in a monotonous confession. "I was supposed to meet up with him at three." 

Her mascara-stained lashes batted once, twice, then a hundred times furiously against her eyes. "But . . . I told you not to be together in public." 

"Technically, we didn't hang out in public. He was kidnapped before I got here, you see." 

"You--" Her nostrils flared. She dropped her grip on me like I was fire and backed away. The misery was quickly draining from her limbs, quickly replaced with the fury that I should've been feeling. "You think it's appropriate to joke about your cousin's kidnapping right now?"

"Isn't that what we do around here? Everyone jokes about mine."

"Conference room." My father pulled his wife towards the room behind him whilst shooting me an incredulous -- and disappointed -- look. "Now." 

My mother didn't spare a second after the door closed to turn on me, a finger directed at my face. "That's because you are reckless and irresponsible to a point beyond hope!" She paced down the length of the oak conference table in the center of the room. "So all anyone can do is joke because you're so set on running into trouble time after time."

"Giselle--"

"And now you've gone and pulled Jasper into your magnet field for danger!" My mother shook off my father's hands. We stood facing each other from opposite ends of the table. Her hands slammed down on the surface. "These kidnappers probably weren't even looking for him. He's just a regular boy! They were looking for you, and you put him there -- you put him in danger!" 

"Enough!" my father flared. "Giselle, you cannot accuse your own daughter like this! It wasn't her fault, and it certainly wasn't her intention."

"He's missing, Will!" My mother was close to screaming now. Logan was trying to shrink himself into the shadows behind me, his head ducked down to avoid her eyes. "If she'd just listen to me for once, he'd be safe right now, but he's not! Jasper is gone! My--"

"-- son." 

A spell of silence captured the room. And for a whole minute, not a single soul in the room moved, or even dared to breathed. There was only the smallest groan of wood, a result of my father's vicelike grip on the edge of the table. 

But it was him who recovered first -- enough, at least, to ask, "What did you just say?" 

It's your time to shine, Folder, and I tossed it down. The roughness at which I threw it caused the documents inside to spill out to all four corners of the table. At first, my parents could only stare at the white sheets sprawled below their hands. Then, like a switch went off in their heads, they began tearing through the pages, horror dawning in their expressions as they took in the information on the documents.

"Perhaps," my father began in a shaky voice, exchanging a desperate glance with my mother, "Logan should step outside." 

Before Logan could move, my arms shot out. "He already knows. Do you  really think secrecy is the most important right now?"

"Where did you get these?" My mother smoothed one of the papers below her hands, but she shook her head. "That's not important. Park, we can explain everything--"

"Did he know?" 

My use of 'he' must've been too vague for them to comprehend because they stared at me, mouths open. Say yes, I begged. Maybe this whole time, Jasper had inherited my mother's acting skills and brilliantly pulled off the lonely-cousin shtick for fifteen years. Because if you loved your son, you would tell him the truth, right?

"Did Jasper know?" 

Neither of them spoke. Still, I waited with bated breath, though it was clear now what their answer would be. 

"No." My father bowed his head. "We never told him." 

There it was. That hollowness evaporated, allowing room for that faraway rage to rush through my veins. 

"He's your son." My fingernails dug into my palms, breaking skin. "He's your child -- and you let him go on for fifteen years thinking he was all alone?!"

"It was to keep him safe!" my mother burst. 

"That makes no sense!" I half-laughed. "What about me, then? By that logic, Archer and I should've been told we were fourth cousins removed."

"Park--"

Three sharp knocks resounded on the back of the door, cutting off all conversation. 

"Your Highness," a deep voice called out, "the cars are ready for you." 

"Give me ten more minutes, Leo," my father said, rubbing his temples. 

There was a pause, and then: "I've given you as much time as I can, Will. It's a Code: Zero. All members of the royal family must head to their designated safe houses." 

When my father still didn't respond, Leo cleared his throat. "The sooner you and your family are safe and hidden, the more resources I can dedicate to finding Jasper." 

My mother looked to me, and with a newfound urgency in her voice, said, "Come in, Captain."

Out of the corner of my eyes, Logan's straightened to a rigid 180-degree angle. My eyes trailed upward, catching the sharpening of his gaze. A glassy film marred his pupils, as though he was unable to focus on anyone or anything. 

Captain Leo entered. Waving a hand between herself and me, my mother requested, "I want Park to come to my safe house. That should be fine, right?" 

I opened my mouth, ready to fight, but to my surprise, Captain Leo shook his head. "I'm afraid that's against protocol, Giselle. The royal family must all be separated until the code is called off."

Before my mother could argue, my father conceded with a heavy sigh. "Giselle, we must go." When she turned on him, scorned at his resignation, my father turned his piercing gaze on her. "For Jasper."

Time spared them a private moment, allowing unspoken words to pass between them. It wasn't long before my mother's body relaxed. Then, my father reached across the table and squeezed her hand in silent solidarity. She gave one slow nod of her head.  

"Escort Giselle of the premises first," my father instructed, stepping aside to let my mother pass him. She tried to look at me before leaving, but I turned my head away, refusing eye contact. 

Once she was down the hall, my father began his leave, but not before pausing by my side. "I know . . ." he began, his voice uncharacteristically somber, "you can't possibly understand right now, and it's not something we'll ever be able to ask of you. But for what it's worth, I am sorry, little bird."

My father pressed a kiss to my head. And in that split second, all I wanted to do was cry. 

With him finally out of the room, I expected Captain Leo to exit promptly, but he lingered in the doorway. His eyes bugged at the sight of the scattered papers, but I stepped into his direct line of sight, and he tactfully averted his gaze. 

"We simply must stop meeting like this, Your Highness." Leo tipped his head my way. "Though I must admit, I am . . .  morbidly happy that you, at least, have avoided another source for trauma."

Oh, there'll be plenty of that going around. "That's what I hired Cimeria's national hero for, isn't it?" I said. Despite my joking tone, Leo did not laugh. 

"Which is why I must apologize. I must remove Logan from your post as your bodyguard in order for him to lead one of the Blackwell's search teams."

At long last, Logan broke his stillness. "Captain, no--"

But his words were quickly silence by a sharp jerk of his father's chin. Remembering that Logan was already on thin ice with his Code: Zero stunt, I tugged on the hem of his jacket, stopping him from stepping forward.

"If I'd known all it took was my cousin getting kidnapped to get rid of Logan, I would've hired someone to do it ages ago."

Logan did not find that funny. "It's just a temporary removal, isn't it?" He stared earnestly at his father. Leo was biting down a smile. 

"Yes, it's only temporary. Logan is one of CSD's highly skilled field agents. His presence would greatly assist our efforts in bringing Jasper home." 

"Captain, I still don't think I should leave the princess alone. She has to be accompanied to the safe house. And what if the kidnappers come after her next?"

"The princess will be fine without you," Leo stated. "The queen has designated the museum as Park's safe house, seeing how unlikely it is for these men to return to the crime scene. Moreover, with the museum also serving as the base for the mission, Park will be under the watch and protection of over two dozen agents." 

"Still, Captain, I am obligated to--"

"That's enough." 

Leo was still smiling, but that bemused twinkle was gone from his eyes. Logan fell back to where he previously stood, his arms crossed behind him once more while his head hung down at an angle to avoid his father's gaze. 

"I understand, Captain."

"Besides," Leo said, bringing his hands together, "the princess is fine with it, isn't she?"

Was I? 

This was clearly not up for discussion. I was expected to nod, agree, and gracefully send Logan off. But with Leo's urging, I suddenly realized I didn't want to. At first, I thought: is it because I'm afraid? Afraid that the kidnappers might come after me next?

What a load of bullshit. When had I ever been afraid of something as measly as an abduction? 

No, right now, I was overwhelmed. Every time I tried to cast my anger aside, I was left with that hollowness from before. My head was overflowing with questions and thoughts about my family. What other secrets are they keeping from us?  Why would they lie about this? What if something happened to Archer, would they even tell us? 

God, I don't want to think anymore! I wanted some semblance of normalcy so I could finally stop shaking. With these other agents, that wouldn't be possible. I'd be hounded by 'Your Highness this' and 'Your Highness that.' But not with Logan. With him, I was just a girl from St. Cross's Academy. 

But Leo was right. Logan's skills were wasted guarding me.

"Totally fine," I said, smiling weakly. 

"Excellent. Logan, meet me by the front lobby in ten minutes." After one final bow, Leo stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Logan blew out a small breath, finally relaxing his posture. 

"I'm not leaving." Logan shook his head. "I don't care what he says, I'll stay behind with you."

"Oh, that should work out well, seeing how you stood up to him so heroically just now," I snorted, collapsing into one of the chairs. Logan's cheeks flushed red. 

"I can't just leave you all by yourself."

"Didn't you hear him? There'll be over twenty agents here. I'll be fine."

Logan rolled his eyes. "I've read your file. I'm more worried about what'll happen to the agents after you've found some way to sneak out of here by yourself." 

"You must have the file on a different princess. I've never done such a thing."

"Are you forgetting Monaco?"

"What happened in Monaco?" I asked innocently. He laughed, his body relaxing momentarily before that heaviness overtook him again. 

"Are you sure you're alright if I go?" He eyed me carefully. "Why don't you say it's a royal command and make me stay?"

"Well," I grinned, "because that obviously has no real legal power outside of the academy. And," I trailed off, my resolve wavering. "I think you should be out there. If anyone can bring Jasper home, it's you." 

"That's a lot of pressure, princess."

"Well, you can't be called a national hero for nothing."

"No one calls me that." But his insufferably smug smile graced his face for a brief second. A second of silence then lapsed between us as we ran out of words to say. It was nearing time for him to go. I should be telling him to be careful. I couldn't quite get the words to leave my mouth though. 

It was Logan who ultimately broke the tension by walking over and kneeling before me.

"I'll bring him home." 

He reached for my hand. Without thinking about it, I squeezed his fingers, finding a small comfort in the warmth of his grip. 

"On one condition." 

My brows shot up. "You're going to put a condition on Jasper's rescue?"

"Yes. I have to. I want assurance that when I come back, I can walk into this room and find you here, safe and sound." 

I made a face. Logan responded with an equally exasperated look. "Really? You can't even promise me that?"

"What if you take hours? I can't stay in this room for that long!"

"Don't be smart with me, Sparrow. You have to stay on the premises." 

Still, I didn't answer, causing Logan to groan.

"I'm serious, Park. You have to stay here." His grip on my hand tightened. "If we can't find Jasper, then you are truly the last heir to the throne. Please tell me you understand the position your family is facing right now." 

"Yes, yes, end of a monarchy, political and civilian uprising, corruption like the world's never seen." I waved my hand about nonchalantly, but deep down I fully understood the point he was making. I would be last chance for the Sparrow legacy to continue. 

Despite my casual tone, Logan leaned back, seemingly satisfied with my words, his keen eyes somehow pulling my sincerity from my head. 

"If anything happens, call me." With one final squeeze, he and I slowly untangled our fingers. "I'll come back for you."

"Anything? That's a dangerously broad condition, Cross. What if I simply over-sweetened my coffee again and need to steal yours?"

"That would fall under 'anything,' wouldn't it?"

On his way out the door, Logan paused for a few seconds, his eyes holding mine. His mouth opened, ready to say one last thing, but then he decided against it, closing the door behind him without another word. 

Ah, I realized, settling into the thick silence of the room. I'm not shaking anymore. 

---------------------------

a/n: 

- I want to apologize for the late update. I had this chapter finished back in august, but something happened with my laptop. it crashed, and for some reason, since I had my Word doc out to edit, the file got corrupted and I lost the entire draft :))))))))))

- did I want to die? yeah 

- so the reason it took so long was: a) i had to rewrite the whole chapter, which ended up being 40 pages total; and b) I'm back in school. it's going to be an exceptionally busy semester for me, as I'm taking a full course load and working for credit. while I am committed to finding time to write every week, updates will be more like, once a month, if my schedule is kind to me. 

- I want to just thank everyone for their patience. Again, i am so, so sorry for how long it took.

ciao for now, 

knee