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palacechristianThe consequences of this
Christian was sitting at his desk going through some papers when his door flew open and his father came through it fast, his expression just this side of controlled rage. He came to a halt in front of Christian's desk, grabbed the remote out of it's holder and swung around toward the vid screen.
"You'd better watch this." he said grimly.
Christian instantly got to his feet and came around to where Marton was leaning on the edge of the table just as the screen came to life. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized the gate positioned right behind that asshole Lago. Liam's! What the fuck!?
Lago was just beginning his spiel and he listened as the man affected a serious tone, relating how 'confidential sources' had revealed the identity of Crown Prince Christian's lover John, as referred to by His Highness himself on the Ben and Ashleigh show, as being one John Tomas Depp, who was also involved with the shameful slavery ring broken up recently . . .
Christian shared a glance with Marton, who simply shrugged. He had no idea either how they'd gotten onto this either. Christian returned his eyes to the screen, to Lago, who was just talking about Carstair's timely demise.
Then he started in on Liam and Christian's blood began to boil as the bastard waffled on about Liam's 'Palace connection' and made all kinds of scurrilous, thinly veiled hints skirting around the idea that Johnny was being 'kept' for Christian and wild speculation about the role of the 'other young people on the property’. Liam was going to have a fit!
But the kicker, the thing that had Christian clenching his fists, his teeth, and wishing he could get his hands around the cunt's throat was the next portion of the 'newscast'. Some enterprising sonofabitch had paraglided over the damned wall with a fucking vidcam in his hand and Lago's people had tapped into the live feed as the man approached Sara who was walking one of the pups.
Sara looked frightened and tried to run away as the man grabbed her arms and peppered her with questions. Who is she? What is this place? Does she know John Depp? Has she ever met Prince Christian? The questions went on and on despite Sara's struggles, the clear signs of fright. Just as Christian was wishing he could get hold of the cunt, someone did. A young man, dark-haired and wiry ran up, a nasty look on his face.
He grabbed the intruder, pulled Sara free and the screen then became a mass of wobbly shots, close-ups of an approaching fist and the beautiful sounds of cussing, of the intruder getting what he deserved. The camera was grabbed and static ensued . . . Marton switched it off before it could revert to Lago.
"I am sorry." He told Christian. "What are you going to do?"
Christian levered himself off the desk and walked back around behind it, his face set and tense. "Call Liam." he said. "I have to get Johnny out of there."
Marton said “I’ll be back.” and left, placing the remote down on the desk in it’s holder.
Running his fingers through his hair, Christian punched up Liam's number, leaning back in his chair and tugging at his tie to loosen the knot. Liam answered after only a couple of buzzes, sounding irate and frustrated. "Liam, it's Christian."
"I'm sorry, I-- Wait, Christian? Good, hang on a moment, will you?"
Christian said, "Yes," and waited for almost a minute while Liam's voice came through as though from a short distance, saying, "There's my girl. Feeling better?" His voice faded even farther and Christian could no longer understand the words, but the man's tone was soft and crooning, almost a low sing-song of comfort. Finally he picked up the com once more.
"Still there? Sorry, we've a bit of a crisis here, and unless this is an amazing coincidence, I'm sure you know why."
"I do." Christian confirmed. "Dad just came flying into my office and switched on my vidscreen. I am so sorry, Liam. Truly. If I'd had any idea . . ." He stopped himself, conscious of the fact that apologies were pointless. Forget that for now, he told himself, and concentrate on solutions. "Is Sara alright?" he asked first, knowing it had to be her Liam was with.
He heard Liam sighing. "She's better. Lisa gave her a sedative and she's... not as frightened as she was."
"Okay. Look, Liam, I don't know what happened, how they found out, but it's clear I have to get Johnny out of there. He has to come home."
"He is home," Liam growled, then he sighed. "Sorry. You're right. He can't stay here -- he's drawing them like maggots. That one cunt came over my fence, and there'll be more now that they know it'll get 'em time on the net. The fly-cams are already swarming around. Cal's picking 'em off with a pulsegun and I'm sure they'll put that on the net next, with who knows what commentary. And so long as the boy's here there's nothing I can do to stop it. Our security was designed to keep out people who'd come sneaking, not people who want millions watching them."
Christian nodded even though Liam wouldn't see it. "Johnny and I talked about a time when he'd come live here with me and study on the net. Work something out about his sessions with you. I think that time's come. Prematurely, but there you have it. I don't think he'll come quietly, but he'll see the sense in it all the same."
Christian tucked his com under his ear and started writing a note on his pad while he talked. Once it was done, he buzzed for Marcus and gave him the note. Marcus read it and nodded, hurrying back out to his desk with the order.
"I'm sending a car." Christian said. "Should leave here in the next half hour or so. And I'm gonna call Johnny fore it gets there."
Liam said "Damn" so quietly it was almost a sigh. "Yes, that would be for the best. We'll... work something out."
"Good." Christian said succinctly. "Then the bastards should fade away. I'm sending two cars, I think. We'll decoy one and send the other in down the old back road. Can you have someone down there to let it in? It'll be a four-wheel-drive?"
"Yes, that's probably a good idea. What, about four hours from now?"
"Maybe a little less. I'll light my own personal fire under 'em." Christian fell silent for a second, trying to think if he'd missed anything. "If I think of anything else, I'll call back." he told Liam. "Right now, though, I'd best call Johnny." He cleared his throat. "Liam? Tell Sara I'm sorry? Tell her I'll make sure it doesn't happen again, okay?"
"I'll do that," Liam said, his voice rough. "Thank you."
Christian hung up, got himself a glass of water and drank it down. Then he refilled it and returned to his desk to make the second call. Again, it was answered almost instantly. "Hey." he said, his voice melting to softness.
"Christian?" Johnny's voice was shaking. "Christian, did you see? They're all over the place, trying to get in! It's like, like..." and his voice broke into a sobbing laugh. "Like a zombie movie or something, you know? They want to suck out my brain and smear it all over the vidnet!"
"Johnny. Johnny! Breathe." Christian sat upright. "Just sit down somewhere comfortable and take a few deep breaths, okay? It's gonna be alright, I'm on it, 'kay?"
"I'm fine! Really, I am, I just don't understand and it's so weird! It's almost funny but it's not, that cunt scared Sara to death and I never thought I'd be grateful to Linus but I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't come along and kicked that guy's arse but there are more of them showing up at the gate all the time, hiking through the woods, looking for a gap in the fence or something and Liam says it's just a matter of time before more of them start coming over...."
"Okay, okay." Christian tried to slow Johnny down. He didn't want to hit him with information while he was still distraught, so he tried diversion instead. "That was Linus?" he asked in a deliberately disbelieving tone.
"Yes! Wasn't he great?! He kicked the guy in the head till he was out, then carried Sara back to the house -- she was shaking so hard she couldn't even stand up."
"Yeah." He could hear the hysteria dying in Johnny's voice. "Sara's okay. I spoke to Liam. Oh, hang on a sec . . ." He covered the com with his hand as his father walked back into his office.
"You still talking to Liam?" Christian shook his head and mouthed 'Johnny' at his father.
Marton nodded. "Get him to tell Liam I pulled them off. Made a call." He tapped his temple and Christian, nodding his understanding, ‘read’ the information he needed. Marton left again, looking grimly satisfied with himself.
Christian relayed the message. "The reporters and camera-people who work for the stations will be leaving very soon." he told Johnny. "Might be one or two freelancers still hanging around but they won't be there long, okay? Word's gonna get out that there's no market anymore to sell their stuff."
"Really? That's great, you fixed it!" Johnny's voice brightened audibly.
"Only temporarily." Christian warned. "Give Liam and the other kids some breathing room 'til we can get you out of there. My father's called in a favor or two, but it won't hold for long, not unless he gets all . . . Royal on their asses." Christian said in a jesting tone. "But he can't do it over something like this. It'd only make things worse in the long run. Listen lover, there's a car on it's way to get you. You're going to have to come home."
"Home? But...?" Christian could practically hear Johnny's brain stalling for a moment.
"Back to Palace." Christian said gently. "To me."
Johnny said, "But," one more time, then stopped. Christian heard him taking a deep breath, and then another. "I do want to," he finally said. "I... gods, I'd love to come back to you, to stay, but...." Another breath, then he whispered, "Do you want me to? Really? I mean, I could find somewhere else. Liam could help me, I know he would--"
"Johnny." Christian had to wait 'til his lover took a gulp of air. "Johnny! Shut-up!" he chided him softly. "Of course I want you back here. Home."
"It is?" There was silence for a few seconds. "Then, well... all right." Sounds of another deep breath. "Then I need to pack, I guess. And, and I have to talk to Liam about how we're going to handle things long distance, and fill Cal in on Hurricane and Typhoon, we haven't talked in a few days, and... and say goodbye. I guess. Shit. I... I want to come. I do, more than anything. But I don't want to leave. Does that make any sense at all? 'Cause I can't figure it out."
"Yeah, course it does." Christian settled back into his seat. "It's not forever, okay? You can go visit. Hell, I might even come with you. But yeah, pack and say bye to everyone for now. Liam knows you're coming, he's gonna arrange lessons and stuff. Once this calms down," And we might need to think about throwing the press a bone or two. "you and I can go see 'em, right."
"Right. I mean, sure. Umm, how long do I have?"
"Couple of hours fore the cars get there, couple more for the trip back and we'll be snogging for real in no time." Christian grinned. "Hey! You can meet Willow again, give Harry a fright, all kinds of good stuff."
"Yeah. Yeah, that'll be fun. I'll bet she's grown a lot. And yeah, it'll be great to be with you for real again. I'm sorry if it sounds like I don't want to, this is just so weird. I mean, I always thought I'd go back to Palace some day, but this isn't how I wanted to do it, being forced to go, you know?"
"I know." Christian mellowed again, sighing and stretching extravagantly. "Not my idea of the perfect reunion, either. My fault, too. Getting mixed up with princes, you know? I'm sorry." He shook it off. "Now scoot lover! Get yourself organized and I'll see you in a few."
"You're right," Johnny joked, "it is your fault. Why couldn't you have been a forklift driver or something? Nice job down in the warehouse, just a normal guy...."
Chuckling, Christian responded, "Cause my legs are too long for the cabin, silly. Now . . . git."
"Gitting," said Johnny. "I'll see you later, then. Make something good for dinner, 'kay?"
"Sorry, lover. It's Shannon's turn to cook." Christian hung up quickly, before Johnny got a chance to respond.
Taking in a deep breath to release the pent-up tension, he returned his attentions to the papers on his desk, hoping to clear them so he could get out of the office early.
Johnny was coming home.
Christian was sitting at his desk going through some papers when his door flew open and his father came through it fast, his expression just this side of controlled rage. He came to a halt in front of Christian's desk, grabbed the remote out of it's holder and swung around toward the vid screen.
"You'd better watch this." he said grimly.
Christian instantly got to his feet and came around to where Marton was leaning on the edge of the table just as the screen came to life. His eyes widened in shock as he recognized the gate positioned right behind that asshole Lago. Liam's! What the fuck!?
Lago was just beginning his spiel and he listened as the man affected a serious tone, relating how 'confidential sources' had revealed the identity of Crown Prince Christian's lover John, as referred to by His Highness himself on the Ben and Ashleigh show, as being one John Tomas Depp, who was also involved with the shameful slavery ring broken up recently . . .
Christian shared a glance with Marton, who simply shrugged. He had no idea either how they'd gotten onto this either. Christian returned his eyes to the screen, to Lago, who was just talking about Carstair's timely demise.
Then he started in on Liam and Christian's blood began to boil as the bastard waffled on about Liam's 'Palace connection' and made all kinds of scurrilous, thinly veiled hints skirting around the idea that Johnny was being 'kept' for Christian and wild speculation about the role of the 'other young people on the property’. Liam was going to have a fit!
But the kicker, the thing that had Christian clenching his fists, his teeth, and wishing he could get his hands around the cunt's throat was the next portion of the 'newscast'. Some enterprising sonofabitch had paraglided over the damned wall with a fucking vidcam in his hand and Lago's people had tapped into the live feed as the man approached Sara who was walking one of the pups.
Sara looked frightened and tried to run away as the man grabbed her arms and peppered her with questions. Who is she? What is this place? Does she know John Depp? Has she ever met Prince Christian? The questions went on and on despite Sara's struggles, the clear signs of fright. Just as Christian was wishing he could get hold of the cunt, someone did. A young man, dark-haired and wiry ran up, a nasty look on his face.
He grabbed the intruder, pulled Sara free and the screen then became a mass of wobbly shots, close-ups of an approaching fist and the beautiful sounds of cussing, of the intruder getting what he deserved. The camera was grabbed and static ensued . . . Marton switched it off before it could revert to Lago.
"I am sorry." He told Christian. "What are you going to do?"
Christian levered himself off the desk and walked back around behind it, his face set and tense. "Call Liam." he said. "I have to get Johnny out of there."
Marton said “I’ll be back.” and left, placing the remote down on the desk in it’s holder.
Running his fingers through his hair, Christian punched up Liam's number, leaning back in his chair and tugging at his tie to loosen the knot. Liam answered after only a couple of buzzes, sounding irate and frustrated. "Liam, it's Christian."
"I'm sorry, I-- Wait, Christian? Good, hang on a moment, will you?"
Christian said, "Yes," and waited for almost a minute while Liam's voice came through as though from a short distance, saying, "There's my girl. Feeling better?" His voice faded even farther and Christian could no longer understand the words, but the man's tone was soft and crooning, almost a low sing-song of comfort. Finally he picked up the com once more.
"Still there? Sorry, we've a bit of a crisis here, and unless this is an amazing coincidence, I'm sure you know why."
"I do." Christian confirmed. "Dad just came flying into my office and switched on my vidscreen. I am so sorry, Liam. Truly. If I'd had any idea . . ." He stopped himself, conscious of the fact that apologies were pointless. Forget that for now, he told himself, and concentrate on solutions. "Is Sara alright?" he asked first, knowing it had to be her Liam was with.
He heard Liam sighing. "She's better. Lisa gave her a sedative and she's... not as frightened as she was."
"Okay. Look, Liam, I don't know what happened, how they found out, but it's clear I have to get Johnny out of there. He has to come home."
"He is home," Liam growled, then he sighed. "Sorry. You're right. He can't stay here -- he's drawing them like maggots. That one cunt came over my fence, and there'll be more now that they know it'll get 'em time on the net. The fly-cams are already swarming around. Cal's picking 'em off with a pulsegun and I'm sure they'll put that on the net next, with who knows what commentary. And so long as the boy's here there's nothing I can do to stop it. Our security was designed to keep out people who'd come sneaking, not people who want millions watching them."
Christian nodded even though Liam wouldn't see it. "Johnny and I talked about a time when he'd come live here with me and study on the net. Work something out about his sessions with you. I think that time's come. Prematurely, but there you have it. I don't think he'll come quietly, but he'll see the sense in it all the same."
Christian tucked his com under his ear and started writing a note on his pad while he talked. Once it was done, he buzzed for Marcus and gave him the note. Marcus read it and nodded, hurrying back out to his desk with the order.
"I'm sending a car." Christian said. "Should leave here in the next half hour or so. And I'm gonna call Johnny fore it gets there."
Liam said "Damn" so quietly it was almost a sigh. "Yes, that would be for the best. We'll... work something out."
"Good." Christian said succinctly. "Then the bastards should fade away. I'm sending two cars, I think. We'll decoy one and send the other in down the old back road. Can you have someone down there to let it in? It'll be a four-wheel-drive?"
"Yes, that's probably a good idea. What, about four hours from now?"
"Maybe a little less. I'll light my own personal fire under 'em." Christian fell silent for a second, trying to think if he'd missed anything. "If I think of anything else, I'll call back." he told Liam. "Right now, though, I'd best call Johnny." He cleared his throat. "Liam? Tell Sara I'm sorry? Tell her I'll make sure it doesn't happen again, okay?"
"I'll do that," Liam said, his voice rough. "Thank you."
Christian hung up, got himself a glass of water and drank it down. Then he refilled it and returned to his desk to make the second call. Again, it was answered almost instantly. "Hey." he said, his voice melting to softness.
"Christian?" Johnny's voice was shaking. "Christian, did you see? They're all over the place, trying to get in! It's like, like..." and his voice broke into a sobbing laugh. "Like a zombie movie or something, you know? They want to suck out my brain and smear it all over the vidnet!"
"Johnny. Johnny! Breathe." Christian sat upright. "Just sit down somewhere comfortable and take a few deep breaths, okay? It's gonna be alright, I'm on it, 'kay?"
"I'm fine! Really, I am, I just don't understand and it's so weird! It's almost funny but it's not, that cunt scared Sara to death and I never thought I'd be grateful to Linus but I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't come along and kicked that guy's arse but there are more of them showing up at the gate all the time, hiking through the woods, looking for a gap in the fence or something and Liam says it's just a matter of time before more of them start coming over...."
"Okay, okay." Christian tried to slow Johnny down. He didn't want to hit him with information while he was still distraught, so he tried diversion instead. "That was Linus?" he asked in a deliberately disbelieving tone.
"Yes! Wasn't he great?! He kicked the guy in the head till he was out, then carried Sara back to the house -- she was shaking so hard she couldn't even stand up."
"Yeah." He could hear the hysteria dying in Johnny's voice. "Sara's okay. I spoke to Liam. Oh, hang on a sec . . ." He covered the com with his hand as his father walked back into his office.
"You still talking to Liam?" Christian shook his head and mouthed 'Johnny' at his father.
Marton nodded. "Get him to tell Liam I pulled them off. Made a call." He tapped his temple and Christian, nodding his understanding, ‘read’ the information he needed. Marton left again, looking grimly satisfied with himself.
Christian relayed the message. "The reporters and camera-people who work for the stations will be leaving very soon." he told Johnny. "Might be one or two freelancers still hanging around but they won't be there long, okay? Word's gonna get out that there's no market anymore to sell their stuff."
"Really? That's great, you fixed it!" Johnny's voice brightened audibly.
"Only temporarily." Christian warned. "Give Liam and the other kids some breathing room 'til we can get you out of there. My father's called in a favor or two, but it won't hold for long, not unless he gets all . . . Royal on their asses." Christian said in a jesting tone. "But he can't do it over something like this. It'd only make things worse in the long run. Listen lover, there's a car on it's way to get you. You're going to have to come home."
"Home? But...?" Christian could practically hear Johnny's brain stalling for a moment.
"Back to Palace." Christian said gently. "To me."
Johnny said, "But," one more time, then stopped. Christian heard him taking a deep breath, and then another. "I do want to," he finally said. "I... gods, I'd love to come back to you, to stay, but...." Another breath, then he whispered, "Do you want me to? Really? I mean, I could find somewhere else. Liam could help me, I know he would--"
"Johnny." Christian had to wait 'til his lover took a gulp of air. "Johnny! Shut-up!" he chided him softly. "Of course I want you back here. Home."
"It is?" There was silence for a few seconds. "Then, well... all right." Sounds of another deep breath. "Then I need to pack, I guess. And, and I have to talk to Liam about how we're going to handle things long distance, and fill Cal in on Hurricane and Typhoon, we haven't talked in a few days, and... and say goodbye. I guess. Shit. I... I want to come. I do, more than anything. But I don't want to leave. Does that make any sense at all? 'Cause I can't figure it out."
"Yeah, course it does." Christian settled back into his seat. "It's not forever, okay? You can go visit. Hell, I might even come with you. But yeah, pack and say bye to everyone for now. Liam knows you're coming, he's gonna arrange lessons and stuff. Once this calms down," And we might need to think about throwing the press a bone or two. "you and I can go see 'em, right."
"Right. I mean, sure. Umm, how long do I have?"
"Couple of hours fore the cars get there, couple more for the trip back and we'll be snogging for real in no time." Christian grinned. "Hey! You can meet Willow again, give Harry a fright, all kinds of good stuff."
"Yeah. Yeah, that'll be fun. I'll bet she's grown a lot. And yeah, it'll be great to be with you for real again. I'm sorry if it sounds like I don't want to, this is just so weird. I mean, I always thought I'd go back to Palace some day, but this isn't how I wanted to do it, being forced to go, you know?"
"I know." Christian mellowed again, sighing and stretching extravagantly. "Not my idea of the perfect reunion, either. My fault, too. Getting mixed up with princes, you know? I'm sorry." He shook it off. "Now scoot lover! Get yourself organized and I'll see you in a few."
"You're right," Johnny joked, "it is your fault. Why couldn't you have been a forklift driver or something? Nice job down in the warehouse, just a normal guy...."
Chuckling, Christian responded, "Cause my legs are too long for the cabin, silly. Now . . . git."
"Gitting," said Johnny. "I'll see you later, then. Make something good for dinner, 'kay?"
"Sorry, lover. It's Shannon's turn to cook." Christian hung up quickly, before Johnny got a chance to respond.
Taking in a deep breath to release the pent-up tension, he returned his attentions to the papers on his desk, hoping to clear them so he could get out of the office early.
Johnny was coming home.
