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"Nicky, Nigel, We made one small but significant change in the plan. And we didn't tell anyone."

Nigel looked alarmed, even surprised. Spontaneity and deviation from a plan was not what the King, who was normally rigid and inflexible, was known for.

"There weren't live bullets in the gun. We replaced them with blanks," said the King, with a slight smile. "There was no cyanide in the blood packets either, and even if there were, it couldn't have worked nearly as fast as would have been required. Simply put, we lied to you."

Nicky ran towards Alex as quickly as he could. Putting his hand on Alex's chest, he felt breathing. He was sure of it. "He is alive!" Nicky was crying now, openly. The reaction was not lost on the King.

Nicky grabbed some towels from a closet in the nearby bathroom and filled a nearby bowl with water. He carefully removed Alex's shirt and started to clean off the splattered blood. Within a matter of seconds, he had wiped off much of the blood and realized there was a noticeable lack of bullet holes. There were some slight burn marks on the flesh where the packets had discharged and released the blood. Although it was clear Alex was breathing, albeit slowly, there was no sign of consciousness.

The King spoke, "Nicky, Alex is an amazing person, though you must know that already. We could not let someone like that die. That would be wrong. We can't rescind our ill-conceived plan, but with this change, both you can live, and he can live. We'll just sneak him up when it's safe and he can go on with his life."

"But, Sire, why didn't you tell me?" inquired Nigel, clearly puzzled and a bit hurt too. Nigel assumed the King would always tell him everything. That's how it had always been.

"The same reason we didn't tell Nicky. If you truly believed he was dying, all your reactions would be real. Nobody can question you and then say they didn't believe that Alex was shot to death. They saw it, you saw it, you acted as if it was true because you believed it was true. Had Nicky known it was a ruse, it wouldn't have appeared to be difficult to do such an evil act, and it was important it appear that Nicky was having a hard time. Had this happened, maybe someone would have thought something was amiss. As it was, it was clear he fought hard against what he did. We believe the correct phrase is plausible deniability."

"Will I see him again?" asked Nicky, who remained at Alex's side.

"That's up to you, him, and his parents. If he comes to London, you can see him if he wants it, but only up above. If you're invited, you may go there. We must admit, we want to forbid it, because we do not understand what draws you two together. We still think there is something wrong here, yet we cannot deny the truth of what we see. There is something more than friendship there. However much you may doubt it, we do understand that part."

Nicky didn't comment immediately. He began to feel self-conscious, though. That quickly turned to embarrassment, then all of a sudden, he felt wrong somehow. It was an extraordinarily unpleasant feeling. He wasn't sure how to describe it, really. It was like his life, at least the part with Alex, had suddenly ended and he'd moved on. It was a shock, a slap in the face. He didn't like it, but it was so unusual he had to stop and think about it. "I'm not sure, father. It was like something was there -- I won't deny that -- but all of a sudden it's gone. He's still my friend, and I care about him, but that little magic spark seems to have died suddenly."

"The love of youth is often like that: fleeting, not fully real."

"No! Don't make light of it. It was real! I am certain it was, and I hope it will continue anew. It's just that something has changed, suddenly," explained Nicky, still confused. He got up and paced around. He found it odd that his feelings had changed. Maybe, he thought, it was a lingering effect of the drugs he was given.

"If you say so, Nicky," replied the King, not wanting to start an argument.

"Nigel, make arrangements to dispose of the body."

"Sire?" asked Nigel who was still digesting the interplay between the King and his son.

"Well, we've carried it here. Now someone has to carry it away to be cremated. After all there are appearances to preserve. We mustn't muck it up now."

"I suppose I should get that taken care of," said Nigel, leaving. He quickly formulated plans to have a body brought to the King's quarters and put on the litter. That body would be cremated and nobody would be the wiser. It might be tricky to get a body, but he knew that there were certainly enough criminals awaiting execution in the dungeons. Nigel was also certain that he could have one of those executions hurried along. He was confident that the King could easily get Alex out, unnoticed. "I'll be back in two hours or so. That will give you time to get Alex revived and well on his way."

"Thank you, Nigel. We mean that," said the King as Nigel shut the door behind him. It was a rare moment of humanity for the King, where it was one friend speaking to another.

Alex made a moaning sound. Nicky raced over to him, his momentary doubts forgotten, followed by the King who moved at a more leisurely pace. Alex made more noise. Clearly he was beginning to regain consciousness. He began to become restless, twitching. Then he began thrashing. Finally, he awoke. His eyes flipped open and he sat upright in an instant. "What? Where am I?" He took several deep breaths.

Realization dawned on Alex, his eyes focusing first on the King. "What the fuck is going on? We had a bargain! I did everything you asked. Everything." He paused for a moment before adding, "And why am I not wearing a shirt?"

"Calm down, Alex. Please. Everything is okay," said the King.

"I don't understand. I'm not dead. Nicky's not dead." Alex didn't quite register all this. He was almost ignoring Nicky for the moment. This fact was not lost on Nicky, which caused him to experience further self-doubt; he didn't realize that Alex was still recovering from the powerful sedative he'd taken to make it appear that he was dead. Nicky absently handed the blood-soaked shirt back to Alex, who began to put it on immediately.

"Allow us to explain, Alex."

"Yes, do that. I am just dying to find out what you've got to say," said Alex, using the pun intentionally.

The King explained everything. Even Nicky chipped in a few comments. Alex wasn't sure what to think. Although Alex got everything he wanted, now he had to deal with being alive and all the problems he was going to have in his own world because of it. He knew there were some MI6 agents who were going to be very upset, not to mention his parents. There were so many problems to face back home. Here there was just Nicky. Nicky! Yes, he remembered Nicky.

Thoughts raced through Alex's mind as to what he wanted. He couldn't decide. There were so many reasons to stay, and so many reasons to go. It seemed like a great deal of time had passed, though he knew it was just an instant. Finally, Alex replied. "Your Majesty, can I stay here?"

The question caught the King completely off-guard. Nicky was not expecting it either. The King certainly wasn't interested in Alex staying, but he deferred to his son's wishes. "That's going to be for Nicky to decide, but it presents a great many problems."

"What problems?" asked Nicky just before Alex was going to make the same inquiry.

"Alex's parents. Half of Scotland Yard is looking for you along with MI6, and when their scheme blows up in their faces, they'll probably have to invite over some people from the FBI or whatever agency has jurisdiction. Then, we'll have to explain your unexpected resurrection to my people; we have no idea how we'd manage that; that will be the most difficult aspect. Then there is the matter of what we do with you and Nicky."

"Alex? What about Delos?" interrupted Nicky, not because he cared about Delos, but because he wondered where she stood with Alex in relation to him. Before Alex was put in the position of answering that difficult question, the King interrupted.

"We have a suggestion," said the King. "Why don't you two have ten or twenty minutes alone together to sort this out? We'll return and then you can let us know what you two have decided."

The King withdrew into the hallway where he was immediately surrounded by guards demanding to know if everything was okay. Fortunately, the door was not at such an angle anyone could see Alex. That certainly would have raised questions. He mentally berated himself for having been so careless. He knew he'd have to be careful when he returned. The King ordered the door drawn shut.

"Alright, Alex, we have to talk about this. We really do. We don't have much time and this is a huge decision. You have to tell me everything about you. Everything. It's like our whole lives are going to be determined by this moment. It's like trying to compress our whole lives into twenty minutes and then making a decision we have to live with forever. This isn't the best way to do this, I know. But I see no other alternative."

"Right. Like it's that easy to just open your heart to someone and tell them everything about you. Nicky, you've been with me enough now to know everything with me is an effort when it comes to opening up. I'm private, reserved, shy, reticent, and introverted. I can't change that. It's who I am. It's better you abandon me now and spare yourself the pain of dealing with me."

"You know I will never abandon you. No issues you have, no thoughts in that walled-off head of yours would ever change that. You must believe that. If you didn't, you'd not have been willing to give up your life for me. That speaks volumes. Actions always speak louder than words."

Alex almost spilled his soul to Nicky at that very moment, but he thought for one instant too long. It was too hard for him to do that -- not only to deal with his own feelings, but worse to allow someone else to hear them. Alex just didn't want to let Nicky know what was going on in his head. He didn't want anyone to know his secrets. It was with a torturous pain of sadness that Alex realized he just wasn't ready yet. He had far too many secrets because he spent his entire life collecting them. Letting someone in was too dangerous. He was afraid it would collapse his world.

Alex finally spoke, "Nicky, I don't think I can. I don't even think I know how. I've been holding back for far too long."

"Sure you can. You're just terrified to do it, aren't you, Alex? You think I'm going to see where you're vulnerable and use it against you."

Alex looked at Nicky in disbelief because nobody had ever indicated they understood the real problem, the real reason. "That's not what I think," began Alex, trying to deny it.

"Don't bother denying it, Alex. I'm right and you know it."

Alex felt Nicky's arms wrap around him and the warmth of his body against his own. It felt so comforting. Alex realized he wanted to tell Nicky everything and just let someone know how much he'd been keeping from the world his whole life. He wanted to end all this pretending and acting that had become second nature. Alex wanted to end the charade and have one person know the real him. Alex wanted to be himself and not split into public and private selves. Nicky let go after a moment as he felt Alex relax in his arms.

"Yeah, Nicky, you're right. But I can't change. I'm not ready. I'm just not," muttered Alex, somewhat ashamed.

"I understand. I guess that's the decision then," said Nicky, nearly choking on the words. He was crushed beyond his ability to express himself.

"I guess so. I still care about you if that means anything to you. Will we ever meet again?" Alex said the words though deep inside he knew it wasn't what he really wanted to say. I can't change who I am. Not yet. I'm really not ready. Why is life so unfair?

"That's up to you. You're always welcome here," said Nicky, wondering if he'd ever see Alex again.

They were interrupted by the King's return. "Not to put too much of a rush on things, but Nigel will be here soon to clean things up. We'll need a decision."

"We've made one. Alex is going home."

"Are you sure you're both okay with that?" asked the King, being very surprised. It wasn't the decision he was expecting.

"No, only one of us is okay with it. But, for right now, though, it's the right decision. I guess it's not time for Alex and me. At least, not yet," said Nicky as Alex just stood there, his head hung in embarrassment and shame.

The King said, "Alex, it's been a real pleasure. We mean that deeply, and personally. You gave me back my son. We will be in your debt forever. We, no, I acknowledge that. Whatever you may need of us, just ask."

"Thanks, but you really don't owe me a thing. That's what's wrong with the world: people expect to be rewarded for doing the right thing. Everyone should always do the right thing. The right thing shouldn't cause notice. It only does because the wrong thing has become a common occurrence instead of the right thing."

"Nice speech, Alex," said Nicky, a pained tone to his voice. Alex didn't make the connection, but the King did and arched his eyebrows.

"Nigel's here!" announced the King as Nigel stepped in the door, quickly shutting it behind him.

Nigel stepped in, "Alex, I've brought you your luggage. You need to change into something else and give us the clothes you're wearing. We need to put them on the body. After you change, Nicky will take you up and return you to you the tube stop where you can re-appear and pretend nothing's gone wrong. As you've noticed before, time doesn't pass the same here. They'll hardly know you've gone missing more than a few hours. Although they may find it upsetting, it can easily be explained away."

Alex doubted it would be that easy. After all he deliberately gave them the slip. He supposed there wasn't much they could do to him short of a stern lecture. Alex's thoughts began to wander back to the decision he had just made with Nicky.

Alex's thoughts were interrupted as Nigel spoke. "Alex, you have to go soon. We have only a minute or two before they come to take away your body." Alex noted the intonation, indicating the ruse was still being maintained. Alex went off to the bathroom with his bag and changed into a different set of clothing.

While Alex was changing, a hidden door opened, and a uniformed member of the King's royal guard dragged in a corpse with Nigel's help. Although it took Nigel some work to get it away from the dungeon without notice, he managed it. It was more or less the right size and shape, too. Nigel felt it was important that the whole scheme be preserved with as many of the details as possible. After the body was placed on the litter where Alex was earlier, the guard left. Nigel knew the guard might wonder what was going on, but he wouldn't have enough information to make a dangerous connection.

Alex came back out of the bathroom in a different outfit, holding his old, blood stained clothes. He handed Nigel his clothes, and watched as Nigel dressed the corpse. It wasn't a very good job, but since the corpse was going to be covered with a blanket, he didn't suppose it mattered much. Nobody would see anything unless one of the arms inadvertently fell out from under the blanket.

When Nigel was done, the corpse was then re-covered with the blanket so that it looked as if Alex's body was still there. Nicky realized it was time to go, as evidenced by the increasing sounds of many people approaching. "We better go, Alex."

The King and Nigel watched silently as Nicky took Alex's hand in his, and led him, their hands intertwined, through the same hidden door through which the guard had appeared with the corpse.

Alex realized there was a whole labyrinth of hidden passageways in addition to the public ones he had been down in his earlier visits. As they worked their way upwards, there was nothing said between them, though Nicky didn't let go of Alex's hand the entire time. Their journey was difficult for their souls if not for their bodies, the tension dragging them down like the heavy weight of an anvil. Sometimes, Alex realized, tension could be so strong it prevented people from saying things they should say, or needed to say. Sometimes it even prevented them from saying they'd just made a terrible mistake. Or maybe that was just pride. He wasn't sure. Travelling along in silence, they soon reached a door. Nicky opened the door and soon they were back in the Lords tube station -- it was deserted as usual.

Alex knew that any minute a train would come, and he'd have to leave. "I want to say goodbye, Nicky," he stated, realizing as he said it, it wasn't what he really wanted to say. He wanted to tell Nicky how he really felt, but he couldn't. Not yet. He sometimes realized he was offended by his own cowardice.

"Hurry," said Nicky. Alex thought it was a bit impersonal the way Nicky said it, but in truth, Nicky was fighting back too many emotions for words.

Alex went over to Nicky, embraced him in a hug. He threw caution to the wind, and gave Nicky a kiss. He was surprised when Nicky kissed him back. It was not the kind of kiss he expected. The moment would be frozen in their minds forever.

"Oh, God," said Alex as Nicky led him to the train that had pulled into the station. He silently mouthed the words he was afraid to say, "I love you," but he knew Nicky couldn't have seen it.

As Alex looked out the window of the departing train, seeing Nicky shrink in the distance, he wondered if his decision was the right one. The breaking of his heart told him it probably wasn't. In the background, he heard the strains of a familiar REO Speedwagon song: