UNDERCOVER (Jake Jensen)

Her Royal Highness

Sam doesn't usually wallow. Her life had been pretty good up until right now. Her parents loved her, she had good friends, a man who loved her, a steady job and a home all of her own. The last two weeks had proven that complacency was dangerous. As her father's car pulled up to Kensington, Sam sighed, wiping a tear away at the thoughts of Jake not being with her. When she stopped, her father exited and offered his hand to her. She accepted, as any princess would, and he led her into their family home.

"Samantha, I've set up your room. It's Apartment 10, your own space as you are an adult now. We need to go over the plan for you and introduce you to your security. I've also taken the liberty of gathering some CVs for a secretary for you. And we need to go over the presentation to Parliament."

"Great," Sam deadpanned.

Her father sighed. "You could be more grateful."

"Grateful for what papa? For you taking me away from my home, away from the only place I really knew. From the man I love?" Sam kept her composure. "I was safe with Jake."

"You were shot at with him!"

"And he took that bullet for me! Does that not make him worthy of me Father?"

At the use of the formal title, Harold stiffened. Sam was rarely upset with him, even with how absent he was with her. His focus had been getting his son to take the throne and with that, his daughter had to be on her own. "Samantha..."

"I'm Sam. That's how I want to be addressed. I will only be here long enough for the heir to the throne be born before I am no longer necessary."

"Samantha...Sam please, don't be like this. You know your brother had no choice."

"My brother hates me. He blames me for his mother dying. I wasn't even in the picture and yet its all my fault. I am here because YOU want me here, not Tony. I will do my duty to you and then I am gone. I have no desire to be a part of his court nor his family." Sam turned around and stomped away, aware of her petulance. Once a steward took her to her apartment, she opened the door and took a look around. Like everything else in Kensington, the designs were dated and royal. Too much gold inlay for her liking. Her bag had been brought up and she moved to unpack it.

On top were three photos, one of her mother, one of Bowie and one of Jake and herself during Christmas. She clutched the photo and laid in bed, sobbing for her lost love.

**

Jake watched from the two way mirror. John Fitzgerald. He looked beat down and ragged from his run-in with the Embassy guards. He sat there with a smug look however, and it made Jake crazy. This bastard started a turn of events that caused the love of his life to be taken from him. He needed to get answers so he could fight for her. Clay entered the room.

"Fitz, long time."

"Not long enough," Fitzgerald replied. "Would have though you would have retired after Colombia."

"Which Colombia, the first, second or third time?" Clay took a seat across from the man. "Either way, I still got out and you are still captured."

John snarled at him. "I would have taken what I needed if it hadn't been for your boy."

"Right, Samantha." Clay opened the file he had brought in with him. "Otherwise known as Her Royal Highness, the Dutchess of Manchester. Funny, you would think that they wouldn't have titled her if she was a secret, but the best kept secrets are the ones right in front of you."

John swallowed. "I knew she was special," he replied, without the cockiness he had prior.

"You knew she was special," Clay repeated. He studied John for a moment. "You knew she was special, but you did not know she was titled, did you?"