The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 23

"It's been six and a half weeks and still she hasn't woken up once. We will have to leave with her and get back to the compound. Apprentice, start preparing. Your training is intensifying; you have to be ready to carry her out of here and make it out alive. I will cover you with the gun they gave me. They don't trust you yet, and even if we stayed, I don't think that they ever will," Jackson said quietly.

"Why do you call me 'apprentice,' even when we are alone? Nobody is around to hear you slip up," I replied angrily.

"It's better practice, and once we are out of here, I won't call you that again, Bodyguard's honor," Jackson replied, knowing that this comment would most likely anger me more. Jackson had a tedious meeting ahead of him but he had a plan to talk to the queen afterward about Rebecca's continued sleep.

"Just stay here until I get back. The last thing we need is for you to get into trouble a few days before our departure," Jackson said calmly, dressing in the clothing he wore for meetings. They do make him look very professional and intimidating.

"Yeah, Yeah, I know. Why do you have to look like a captain of a ship when you wear that, minus a hat?" Owen asked, knowing the answer because he asked this constantly.

"The queen requires everyone to dress in something like this for every meeting, it's like a sign of respect to her if you obey. This way, I'm more than likely to remain on her good side until we are out of here," Jackson replied, leaving Owen to his thoughts.

Jackson didn't waste his breath during the meeting and barely said a word. Afterwards, however, he walked into Rebecca's room with the queen. "Your majesty, with all due respect, why are we waiting to operate on her? The longer we wait, the worse it's likely to get. Do you really want to do that to her?" Jackson asked.

"I want to wait until she wakes up. I know that it is getting worse, but it's not worsening at the rate you are implying. The gel that they apply will keep infection away from the injury. It's only been about a week, and I know this will probably be outrageous sounding, but what if someone is keeping her from waking up? What if someone else wants me to crown them, and therefore, making sure my daughter remains incapacitated?" She said, worry making her voice fragile, rather than her usual commanding voice.

"Lexie, if I may?" Jackson asked, wanting to know if he could use her real name.

"Yes, Jackson?"

"Lexie, I know that you are worried about your daughter and I am too. I wouldn't call your accusation outrageous, but it may just be that because you are her mother, you would go to any length to get her back. I know that you would probably fire the whole compound staff to make sure you can have her back. Why not let me and my apprentice take care of this for you? We won't leave her unattended, trust me, but we will root out the problem and bring the news to you. When we do, you can do as you see fit with them. May I ask, however, that when you do, try and think of what your daughter would do?" Jackson said carefully, watching Lexie for her response.

"Very well....I will let you take the investigation, but keep in mind, should she be unattended, you will be punished. I would greatly prefer if no one else knew I allowed you to use my first name. I must retire, it is getting late; your apprentice is probably waiting for you. Good night, Bodyguard Jackson," She replied.

"Yes, your majesty, have a good night. I will report to you in the morning with a list of people I wish to investigate," Jackson said, bowing low and smiling.

Later, Jackson had entered my room. "I assume you know what we have to do now?" Jackson asked, loosening his tie.

"Yeah, I've been working on the list of people we need to investigate, and I think I have almost everyone. By the way, wait till Beca hears that you are on a first name basis with the queen," I replied, smiling widely.

"She will hear about it, I'm sure from you, and when she does, I will tell her everything that you forget," Jackson said, going to the bathroom to change.

"Hey, what makes you think that I will leave things out? Don't you dare say that you think I will leave out the parts that make you look good, because Beca knows you too well!" I shouted. "I wish I knew her better...." I mumbled quietly.

"Hey, don't worry about it; I was only joking with you. Anyway, whose names do you have on there? Besides the medical staff working in Rebecca's room, you should add all the medical staff we don't know, in case they switch shifts. I see you also have the night guards, which is good. What about the whole regiment? Nice thinking, making a schedule; we can use it to make sure we get everyone. We may need a little more time, though; I don't think five minutes is long enough, and at that rate, we would be done by lunch. I'm off to bed, you should be too," Jackson said, looking over the list.

"Alright, I will do that in the morning while you do your insane workout; night." I said, getting into bed as well.