<span style="font-style: italic">"We'll have to work quickly then, to get you up to speed on our security specs then, unfortunately, you won't have time to prepare too much, but I don't see a reason to be worried. Tomorrow night is a gala event for a foreign dignitary. We'd signed a treaty with them a year back and this is a check in of sorts. There won't be too many people there, as the list consists of only a few hundred people. A dinner and dance will take place, and my father and our guest will be discussing the terms, making sure everything is still intact and such of that nature." </span><br/><br/>Alanâ€™s breath left him in a hiss as he started at the back of her head. It was almost laughable.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">Only a few hundred. ONLY!</span>His head spun with the number of things that could go wrong. All those people needed to be checked for potential threats. He needed to know all those names by tomorrow night. On top of everything else that needed to be done. Alan needed someone else on the inside with himâ€¦ but he couldnâ€™t pull anyone from his team into the palace. Way to risky for them if they went back out into the city afterwards. No, he needed them on the streets, so he would be on his own for awhile.<span style="font-style: italic">Damn, damn, damn, damn.</span>he wanted to get the hell off this planet. Now. But there was no way he could just leave the mission incomplete. He was a lot of things, but a quitter wasn't one of them. Alan ran from nothing. If that meant running himself into the ground doing his job so be it. But his family was going to catch hell for this one.<br/><br/>Alan felt his eyes flashing colors as he his mind whirled though emotions. He took three deep breaths calming himself and focusing. There was no point in being angry, it was already done. Now he had to work with it and keep this girl alive no matter what the cost to himself. Thatâ€™s what he had signed on for. Thatâ€™s what he would do.<br/><br/>He got himself under control in just enough time for her to turn and face him.<span style="font-style: italic"> "I realize this is less-than-desirable, and for that I apologize. I've no control over the agenda, and merely go with what I'm ordered to do. This meeting is extremely important in maintaining peace and must go off without a hitch. It's complicated, but workable I hope?"</span>He started to nod in response but then she took off down the hallway again making his response void. Alanâ€™s lips flicked up at the corners, damn something told him she wasnâ€™t going to make this easy on him either. She was quite the feisty one, didnâ€™t seem to need anything from anyone.<br/><br/>They entered the elevator and Alan ran his eyes over the elevator operator. Taking in his stance, his height, weight, the scar on his left hand, anything that he might need if the guy attacked. He subtly shifted his stance making it hard to reach the princess without going through him first. Considering his size it was easy to make it look like he was simply shifting his weight as he crossed his arms over his chest.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"They'll start arriving at six o'clock sharp, though no real introductions will happen until our dignitary gets here at six forty-five. Dinner will begin promptly at seven, and last until my father calls for the first dance, which happens about forty-five minutes in...That is, unless the drinks hold out. Then a bit longer."</span>Wonderful. Perfect. Could one of his enemies kill him now? It would make his life easier.  Keeping one eye on the operator he glanced at her and nodded, showing his understanding as he thought though his plans for the evening.  He would have to pose as a guest since his bodyguard status was strictly on the DL.<span style="font-style: italic">"The dance will continue until roughly midnight, as, during this, my father will be discussing the different areas of the treaty. Updates will be exchanged, shows of good faith produced, and the night will come to a close.</span>He caught her gesture for him to step out first and he nodded and strode out. His head turned slowly as he surveyed the hallway looking for threats, once finished he stepped aside and allowed her to walk in front of him again. He hated people behind him. More than once heâ€™d had a blaster pointed at the back of his head, and that made him shy away from the thought of letting anyone walk behind him if he could help it.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">My dancing will be dependent on if any suitors decide to make an appearance...So, I'll most likely be around the floor for the duration of the night."</span>Even better. Hormonal men and teenagers, just what he wanted to deal with.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Good luck with the sore feet.</span>He thought wondering exactly how many times her feet would be stepped on. As he stepped into her spacious room his eyes took in her stellar view, and the three doors leading out of the room.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Wait here. I'll get you the threats."</span>He was tempted to follow her but instead he stopped where he was and looked around her flat while he waited. She needed space; it was hard to take in the fact that someone was now going to be dogging your every step. Even if you were used to it.<br/><br/>His com buzzed in his ear and he clicked it on.<br/><br/>â€œHey dad.â€ He murmured keeping his voice down so the princess couldnâ€™t hear him.<br/><br/>â€œAlan, howâ€™s the mission going?â€ His fatherâ€™s voice was good to hear even if he had just left. Alan felt his shoulders sag slightly as he turned to the huge bay windows and looked out over the kingdom. He braced his arm against the wall and leaned his forehead against the window, feeling the cool glass against his skin.<br/><br/>â€œThis isnâ€™t going to be easy. But I can do it. The mission we thought would be almost effortless turned out to be anything but.â€ He said sighing slightly. He heard his father chuckle though the line.<br/><br/>â€œYou can handle it, son. I know it. You always do. The others will be there soon.â€ Funny how his dad knew what was bugging him most.<br/><br/>â€œI know. Iâ€™ll be pulling an all nighter. You have no idea what they decided to spring on me.â€ He said palming a knife and twirling it around his hands.<br/><br/>â€œKeep yourself safe to, Alan. Youâ€™ve got people to come home to.â€ Alan laughed pulling his sunglasses off and rubbing his eyes before replacing them. His ears twitched and he heard approaching footsteps. The knife went back into it's sheath and he sighed again.<br/><br/>â€œI know dad. I will. Promise. The princess is returning. Iâ€™ll contact you later.â€ He said disconnecting the link and turning, squaring his shoulders again as he turned to face her.