One of the things Maddie treasured the most about her friendship with Ella was that there were these moments where they didn't even need words; moments when a look conveyed the multitude of what was passing through their hearts and their minds. And, when Ella stepped into her apartment and met Maddie's eyes, it was one of those moments.

Without a word, without question, Ella pulled Maddie with her to the couch where they slumped together in one big clump of friendship; both with tears in their eyes—Ella's because of Maddie's. Maddie had changed into her pajamas—her comfy flannel pants and Harry's shirt; not caring that the smell of him made her cry. And there they sat; arms crossed over the other, feet tucked up under them. Ella kissed Maddie's forehead as she cried.

And then, when Maddie sniffed and sat up, Ella knew without words—that she was ready to talk about it.

"Well," Ella sighed as Maddie reached for tissues. "I haven't seen your naked ass online yet so..." Maddie bust out laughing; her tears pressing from her eyes as Ella joined in.

"Harry put me in contact with an attorney; he filed a cease and desist letter. They can't post them until we...figure this all out I guess."

"That's a relief," Ella sighed.

"It wasn't me. The photos...somebody must have photo-shopped them or..."

"I figured as much," Ella nodded. "Have you seen them?"

"No," she shook her head. "But Harry has."

"How's he taking all of this?"

"Well, as far as I know he hasn't killed anybody so..."

"Not so good?"

"Not really," Maddie sighed and leaned back against the couch. "I'm not sure I've heard him this pissed in the entire time I've known him—even when they pulled him out of goint to Afghanistan for the second time..."

"He's on his way back?"

"He should be," Maddie glanced at the clock. "Why would somebody do this? Put my face on somebody else's body and try to...why would somebody do that?"

"I don't know."

"And then all the cameras at work..." She groaned. "At least the lawyer stopped them from publishing them but God, Ella...I have no idea what the hell is going to..." She shook her head. "I really, really don't want to obsess on this. If I obsess about this, they win and I don't like losing. And I know that once Harry gets here it's..." Ella met her friend's teary eyes and nodded; she knew without words.

"Well then," she clapped her hands together. "Let's talk about something else."

"Okay," Maddie sniffed and pondered for a moment. "Tell me what's going on with you."

"Well," Ella couldn't help the smile that crept to her lips. "I've kind of started seeing someone."

"What?" Maddie turned to her; surprised. "Just last week you were single and loving it."

"That's why I said kind of started," Ella grinned. "His name is Matt. He's one of the helicopter pilots at the hospital. I would love for you to meet him."

"I would like that too," Maddie smiled. "I do have a fondness for helicopter pilots. Maybe the four of us could have dinner sometime."

"That would be good," Ella nodded.

"Look at you...bringing somebody home to meet the family," Maddie nudged her friend; clearly enamored with Matt.

"What can I say? He makes me laugh."

"Good. Good. That's important."

"It is..." Ella agreed.

"Oh! I met the Queen this weekend," only Maddie's eyebrows perked up as she let her friend in on the news. "I was going to tell you tonight after work but...Harry introduced me to his grandparents."

"He did?" Ella's interest was genuine; her intrigue a reflexive part of her nature. "Oh my God, Maddie. That's huge. Was it amazing?"

"Yes," Maddie nodded. "She is so beautiful in person. And she smells fantastic."

"Of course she does," Ella nodded as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Was she nice?"

"She really was," Maddie thought over the night and sighed heavily; leaning into Ella's arms, unable to avoid the reality of her day for much more than a moment. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Yeah," Ella took a breath. "Me neither." When the buzzer rang out into the room, Maddie squeezed Ella's hand and hurried to answer it.

"Hello?"

"It's me," he sounded tired, angry, confused; just like she felt. Hitting the buzzer, Maddie opened the door and waited. In mere moments Harry and his body man were up the stairs. When Harry saw her, he stalled; he could tell she had been crying, that she was upset and it only fueled the fire he had worked all day to tamper down. It as such conflict; wanting to comfort her all while wanting to pummel something to a bloody pulp. Maddie tore her eyes from him.

"Hi Jim," she waved her hand with a tiny smile.

"Doctor Forrester," he nodded his hello and moved to the bench in the hallway across from her door.

"Hi," Maddie's eyes lifted to meet Harry's. He was still dressed in his suit, bag in his hand; having come directly from his meeting and luncheon.

"Hi," his hand reached out to stroke her cheek and she pressed her face into it. "Can I come in?"

"Please," she stood aside as he moved past her. With a small nod to Jim, Maddie closed the door; locking it and setting the alarm. Harry dropped his bag by the door and shrugged out of his coat; draping it over the back of her chair—making himself at home. If Maddie hadn't been so caught up in the scandal of the day, she would have been touched by the sight.

"Ella," Harry forced a smile for her as she rose to her feet to greet him properly.

"How you doing?" She rubbed his shoulder as she stepped out of the hug.

"That depends," he turned to look at Maddie. "How are you doing?"

"Well," Maddie sighed and looked between them. "I'm in my pajamas...but I haven't started drinking. So...Somewhere in the middle."

"Yeah," he understood the feeling. "I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier."

"It's okay," Maddie smiled through teary eyes. "Ella's been with me."

"Yes, she has," Ella cleared her throat. "And now that Harry's here, I think it's time for me to..."

"No," Harry shook his head. "That's not necessary."

"You don't have to go," Maddie looked to her best friend.

"I actually do," Ella kissed Maddie's cheek, "I love you," and patted Harry's shoulder. "Take good care of her."

"Of course," he smiled up at her. And then, with a knowing glance at the couple, Ella slipped through the door.

Maddie, after seeing Ella out, leaned against the door and looked to Harry where he was leaning back against the arm of her oversized chair. His tie was loose, his jaw set, his shoulders tense. Maddie couldn't figure out what to do first; where to go. Her eyes fell on the bag he had with him and curiosity paved the way.

"Do you have them?" He looked up sharply. "The pictures."

"Maddie..." He shook his head.

"Don't lie to me, Harry. Do you have them here?" There was a moment of pause; he held her eyes and gulped. Nodding, he pushed away from the chair and went over to his case. Opening it up, he pulled out a large manila envelope. He stepped over to her and held it out; hating what she was about to open.

"Thank you," she breathed; taking it from him. Her fingers were cautious as she opened it, as though she could be dismantling a bomb. Pulling three photos from the envelope, she gasped; her eyes wide. "Oh my God...It's me."

"It's not you," he shook his head; absolutely certain.

"It looks like me." If she hadn't known better, she would be easily convinced. "She looks exactly like me."

"No she doesn't. Her body is different from yours. The curves aren't right and she has a mole on her left..." Harry pointed. "And you have a mole just above..." He took a breath and rubbed at the back of his neck; pacing away from her.

"Okay," she sighed. "Okay, you're right. You're..." She nodded and, strangely enough, a small laugh came out.

"You're laughing?" His forehead crinkled in confusion.

"Well...that's just...incredibly perceptive of you; noticing the moles and all..." She caught his glare and tried to control her laughter. "Sorry."

"It wasn't quite so funny when I was explaining to the communications office and my father how it was I knew this wasn't you."

"Oh God." Maddie's stomach turned.

"There we go," he waved his hand; that was more the response he had expected.

"Your father knows you've seen me naked?"

"Yes."

"What about...The Queen? Did she..."

"Not at the time."

"But now?"

"I would imagine," he let out a breath; reclaiming his spot at the arm of her chair.

"Okay, now I'm horrified. I can't believe you told them..." The images of the conversation passed through her mind like a terrible movie.

"You would rather them think that this was you?!"

"No, no," she shook her head and looked back at the photos. "These are really good. Whoever did these..."

"Is going to wish for the day before he knew how to use photo shop," Harry's hands clenched into fists.

"Hey..." Maddie stuffed the pictures back into the envelope and tossed them onto her table before she moved to him. Her arms went to his shoulders as she stepped into his space, standing between his legs. As if on reflex or instinct, his hands moved to her body; resting on her hips. He looked up to her then; eyes heavy with the responsibility he felt for this. Swallowing back her tears, Maddie dipped her head to kiss him. It was a soft, sweet kiss; one meant to ease his tense shoulders, his taut jaw. But when their lips met, the weight of the day was behind them—pulling them closer together. His hands on her hips were tight; pressing her closer to him. Her fingers moved to his neck, pulling him to her. A moan moved from her mouth involuntarily; the heat between them intensifying quickly; like a blast of hot air from a suddenly lit fire.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered against her lips.

"It's okay," she whispered back.

"No," he pulled away; his eyes growing dark. "No it's not." He sighed; his anger and frustration taking hold of his emotions as he nodded towards the street. "I saw them all out there. They are going to be all over you."

"They already are," she sighed. "You know they came to the hospital."

"What?"

"They were waiting at the entrance when my boss sent me home," Maddie felt her tears return as she remembered what had happened in her office.

"They were what?" Harry stood; forcing Maddie to take a step away from him. "God damn it!" He pulled his phone from his pocket and started dialing. But Maddie was quick and pulled it from his hand. He looked to her with great surprise. "Give it back."

"No!" She stepped back from him.

"Damn it Maddie!" He reached for the phone. "That is a private hospital! You are a private citizen and they don't need to be stalking you in the bushes!"

"I know!"

"This is bullshit! Absolute bullshit!"

"You think I don't know that?! This is happening to me! These are photos of me! Or at least they are supposed to be and..."

"And..." He tried to cut in but she rushed ahead of him.

"And I need my boyfriend right now!" Her voice rose to his level as she stood up to him. "I need him to sit down and listen to me rant about my rough day and NOT feel the need to swoop in; threatening to take people down at the knees and make it all go away!"

"They can't be there!" His face was bright red.

"I know that!" She yelled and then blinked; hating the way they were going at each other. "I...I know that. I know you're mad and I'm just as pissed as you are. It's just... I just...I need to you to be my boyfriend with a sympathetic ear right now. Not put-them-in-their-place guy."

"Maddie..." He was trying; she could see that—deep breaths and all.

"Please Harry," she reached for his hand. "I don't know how to do this if I can't talk to you. If I have to worry about you flying off every time something happens, I'll want to keep things from you and that is never going to..."

"Fine," Harry sighed; relenting. "You're right. I know you're...fuck!" He huffed. "I'm sorry. You're right. I can do that. I can..." He breathed and focused on her; moving back to his spot on the arm of her chair. "You said that your boss sent you home?" Maddie bit her lip and nodded; moving closer to him.

"He did. He told me to take a day and come back tomorrow for a meeting..." She took a deep breath. "I don't know what they're going to tell me. What if they want me to leave?"

"Why would they want you to leave?"

"Because. People bring their kids to us because they are experiencing some serious traumas, Harry. Part of the process is anonymity. I would guess these people don't want the world to know that their children are seeing me, us."

"Maddie..." He shook his head; his sadness taking hold over anger for the moment. "You really think they would let you go because of this?"

"I don't know," she shook her head and wiped at her eyes. "He was very sweet about it all, helpful really. But this is the first time I've ever encountered something like this and..." She blew air from her mouth and gestured to the envelope. "Hey, at least the world isn't looking at those tonight, you know."

"Yeah," he breathed.

"You want to hit something, don't you?" She cracked a half smile.

"I want to hit somebody," a burst of laughter came from his lips as he stood again; pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head. "But I'm trying to remain calm."

"You're doing well," she smiled up at him; her chin resting on his chest.

"I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to me," he brushed the hair from her forehead. "I don't want you to be afraid to tell me how you're feeling."

"I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I have no problem speaking my mind."

"I have noticed," he kissed the tip of her nose.

"So...tell me. How is this all going to play out? What happens next?"

"Well..." Harry sighed; his hands moving to rub her shoulders. "Your attorney stopped the photos and the website pulled the announcement. Next some experts are going to take a look at those photos and they should be able to prove that they've been altered and then they can't print them...or if they do you can sue the shit out of them and retire."

"Ha!" Maddie laughed. "That sounds wonderful. But...how is this going to play out? In the press, in the media, with...you know...all of that," she waved a hand towards the street.

"I don't know."

"Harry..."

"I honestly don't know," he shrugged. "They know that there were photos that were allegedly you. They know that the photos were stopped. I don't know why they did this. I don't...maybe they wanted a reaction from me. Maybe they want a reaction from you. Maybe...I don't know. Maybe you're getting too popular and somebody wanted to knock you down a peg or two?"

"Too popular?" Maddie laughed.

"Well, the press has been mostly good lately. They've figured out all the great things you've done. Maybe somebody decided they needed to ruffle the feathers a bit. I don't know."

"Does your..." She cleared her throat. "Does your father believe you? He doesn't think that I..."

"He believes me," He sighed and shook his head. "As much as that particular conversation pained me, he believes me."

"I would hate for your family to think that this is me."

"They won't," he assured her; this wasn't their first scandal, wasn't their first time being accused of something that was inaccurate and Sophie had already reached out to him to offer her support to Maddie. "Speaking of family; have you talked to your family yet?"

"No," she shook her head. "I wanted to calm down first, to know what I was dealing with before I called home."

"Makes sense," he nodded; his head hanging down.

"What's on your mind right now?" Maddie lifted his chin so he would look at her.

"I don't want to tell you," he took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the top of it and gave in. "I'm thinking of all you've had to do to be here, all you had to leave and...and...God...how much you have to put up with to be here with me." Her heart ached as she watched him; full of guilt and responsibility.

"You know what...let's get out of here."

"What?" He looked up to her.

"Yeah, let's...I don't want to sit here and do this; be sad and angry and...they only get to control what they get to control. And we can't let them decide how we do this, right?"

"Okay," Harry sighed and took her hands in his. "What did you have in mind?"

"Where is your favorite place in London? When you need to get away from it all and escape in the city, where do you go?"

"I don't know..." He shook his head in thought.

"Well, figure it out. I'm going to go change and when I get back, you're taking me there."

"What?" He watched as she walked towards her room.

"You heard me!" She called from the hallway.

By the time Maddie had returned, dressed casually and comfortably, Harry had figured it out and they were leaving. Stepping outside, they were greeted with the expected cameras. Reaching the relative safety of the car, Maddie sighed and leaned into him. Having already given the driver directions, Harry sat back as the car drove into the night and away from the flashbulbs.

Maddie looked up at him in confusion when they arrived at Kensington Palace; driving swiftly through the gates towards his house. But she remained silent and followed. She followed him into his house where Bernard had to-go containers of food waiting. He grabbed a blanket and the sack and gestured for her to follow him. They walked through the grounds, around to the main building and straight inside. Maddie was weary; where were they headed? His family lived here? But they by-passed the residences, they walked up stairs and through halls and when she thought they couldn't get any higher, any further, they walked some more.

And finally, with a wink to her and a push on a door, they were outside again. Only now, they were on a roof.

"Oh my God..." She stepped out and was looking out over the lights, over the trees; over London.

"Come on," he nodded his head and she followed. Setting the sack of food aside, he laid out the blanket and kicked off his shoes. Maddie followed suit and joined him. Harry pulled containers out of the sack and handed her one.

"Pizza?" She grinned.

"I love Bernard's pizza."

"Fair enough," she smiled. "The roof of Kensington Palace?"

"There is nobody here; it's just me. The family doesn't come up here. The press can't get up here. And this view is..."

"It is," she agreed; taking a bite from her pizza. "Mmmm. Good God that's amazing."

"I told you," he grinned; watching her savor the food. "This was a good idea."

"I'm full of good ideas," she shrugged.

"You are." They settled into their spots; eating pizza, drinking the wine Bernard had put in the bag, and looking out over the city. Occasionally Harry would point something out or Maddie would ask a question but for the most part, they ate in a contented silence as they allowed their world to return closer to normal. When they finished, Harry put the containers back in the bag and they laid flat on the blanket as they looked out at the city and up at the stars.

"You are handling this incredibly well," Harry turned his head to look over at her with loving eyes and she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Yeah, well, what choice do I have?"

"What choice do you have?" He laughed; scrubbing his hand over his face as he turned on his side; propping himself up on one elbow so he could look down