The Prince's Bodyguard

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N: This takes place around the time of Season 1's end. Actually, the initial night in question is the night of the sleepover at Sikowitz's episode. I have a lot of work to do on this one, so read it and enjoy but also bear with me.

Chapter 1 (Assignment)

Sweat flicked from Trina's brow and her cheeks puffed with each breath she took as she beat the punching bag in front of her with every bit of strength. It was late at night, in the early summer of 2011, and she was getting some last minute practice in on her martial arts training.

At eighteen, she was getting ready for college, and wanted to join the prestigious martial arts club at her university of choice. She had to be in tip top shape, however, and tonight was a good night to practice since her sister was out with her friends at some party with Mr. Sikowitz and her parents wanted to be alone at home for a while.

The gym was on the outer end of Los Angeles. It was small and quiet, providing just enough space for her to focus. There was a movie theater nearby, so she did have to deal with people coming in once in a while before or after a movie started.

Dust flew off the brown bag as her fist slammed into it, pushing it forward. The chains holding the back creaked and turned. Trina narrowed her eyes and twisted her body, shouting loud as her leg flew into the side of the bag. She clenched her fist and raised her leg as the bag swung back in her direction, then with a shout, she kicked forward and struck the bag multiple times with swift kicks.

She hopped backwards and yanked a water bottle from a nearby work bench, opening it up and guzzling down half the drink. Her skill had been increasing lately, which was evidenced when she thought back to having taken down Tori's three guy friends easily one night. That night was a night of vulnerability for her, but she went with her strength and rose out on top.

Picking up a towel from the same bench, Trina pat her face and neck dry and looked towards the door of the gym. The receptionist was busy reading a book and chewing on gum, and probably wondering when she was going to leave. "How much longer until close?" Trina asked in a huff. The girl at the desk looked up from the book and poked a finger at the clock.

"'Bout twenty minutes."

"Okay, thanks." She'd been there for several hours and was getting exhausted. As much as she wanted to practice more, she didn't want to annoy the receptionist.

It was funny, this side of her. She didn't care for people to see it so much, because this martial arts was something that was hers to own. Nobody could tear her down for it, and she didn't want to give people the chance.

She knew how she carried herself, she knew she came across crazy and obsessive to people. Trina knew she could be a diva at times, and she was working on getting away from that image. At the same time, she liked keeping the image up because it meant people wouldn't see the toughness that she hid beneath those flashy dresses and obsessive attitude.

It all went back to something a teacher told her long ago: "Let only those you trust completely see who you truly are, but even then, be careful not to leave yourself exposed lest people learn how to read you."

Trina walked outside the gym, wiping the sweat from her brow. She adjusted her purple sports bra and swung her arms through the air. With a sigh, she looked towards the movie theater across the street and raised her eyebrows at a couple of people walking out.

One of the people was a familiar redheaded girl, latched onto the arm of a man that was looking over his shoulder as if he were uncomfortable. "Cat," she breathed, "I thought you were with Tori and the others." She started across the street and began to follow the pair, unsure why she was bothering.

There was a strange feeling in her gut that something wasn't right. Cat was bouncing her head and laughing wildly, but the man she was attached to wasn't paying attention to her in the slightest. He was tall, a bit muscular, had short and soft brown hair. "I can't believe my friends never showed," the man replied, "Maybe we should head back to Uncle."

"Why?" Cat pursed her lips and leaned her head onto his shoulder. "We're having so much fun, let's go have dinner." The man started to pull away, sighing heavily as Cat continued to fawn over him.

Trina started to say something, but held back so she could continue to watch out of curiosity. "I'll be honest, I like a little space."

"It's okay Jason, I won't bite."

Trina narrowed her eyes and looked around slowly as she followed them into an alleyway. She moved into the shadows, tilting her head as Cat stopped Jason in the center. The redhead grabbed his hands and looked into his eyes with a bright smile. "I've had so much fun tonight, Jason! I'm glad we've met!" Jason furrowed his brow and a nervous smile grew on his lips.

"Um sure. It's been good."

Trina moved her eyes to the side, humming gently as she studied the shadows. There was an eerie calm in the air, and she was sure she heard some sort of scraping noise from nearby. "Okay," she whispered to herself, "Something isn't right here. Cat shouldn't be stopping here with this guy, it's weird." She wanted to step out and see what was going on, to remind Cat of where exactly she was, but didn't want to interrupt the girl on her date.

"I really like you, Jason. I know your uncle's like our teacher and all, but I'd like to go out with you again."

"I don't know…tonight was okay, but-"

Just then the scraping noise Trina had been hearing grew louder, and a man's voice echoed into the air. "Put your hands into the air, both of you!" Her eyes darted to the right and she saw three men approaching the pair. Cat shrieked and Jason froze on the spot as the shorter man in the front aimed a gun towards them.

The other two didn't appear to have a weapons, but Trina wasn't sure of anything. Cat spun behind Jason, clutching his arm firmly and burying her head into his back.

Trina's heart stopped and she tried to run the possible scenarios in her mind. The leader had the gun, the two with him she figured she could deal with. "Move it," shouted the gunman. He motioned to Cat, and pointed to the wall. "Back against that wall, bitch."

"But-"

"Now!" Cat whimpered and ran over to the wall, her body trembled like a leaf in the wind. Jason stood in the center, his hands raised at his shoulder and his eyes darting nervously between the three men. "Alright. Your turn."

Trina slipped into a shadow on the other side of the alley, then moved silently along the wall. Her eyes remained fixated on the gunman, her nostrils flared and the folds along her nose creased.

Cat was her sister's friend, so she couldn't let something happen to her. Trina fell back onto some of the things her father had been teaching her, and things she knew she would learn in police academy when she joined. The first thing to do was to overtake the one with the power-and disable his power.

Thinking fast, she leapt out from the shadows. Her wrists locked at her waist and her right leg rose high into the air. The gunman looked at her, stunned and frozen in place. "Who the fuck are you?" She brought her leg down, crashing it into his arm and forcing him to drop the gun. "Shit!" The man jerked back, grabbing his wrist and sucking in air through his teeth.

Cat gasped loudly, throwing her hands over her mouth. "Oh my god. Trina!" Without hesitation, she kicked the gun away from the group. Her eyes focused on the man's stomach and she thrust her fist forward, striking him in the sternum.

The man staggered back, crying out in pain. One of the two behind him lunged forward, swinging a fist at her. She ducked low and raised her forearm to deflect the swing. She struck the man's back with her elbow, causing him to double over. Next, her knee shot up and crashed into his jaw.

"That's for threatening my sister's friend." She grabbed the man's hair and yanked him forward, releasing in the center of her arc, and watching as he crashed into the third man. She threw her eyes over her shoulder and glared at the leader. He was laying prone on the ground, groaning and cursing. "Stay on the ground if you know what's good for you."

Trina called the police and waited for them to arrive and take the men away. She was proud to have stopped what looked to be the makings of a mugging. Cat ran up to her afterwards, throwing her arms around her and sobbing.

"Oh thank god you showed up when you did, Trina! I don't know what would have happened." Trina flashed a smile and pat the girl on the back. She didn't care much for Cat or the others, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try and support or comfort them in tragedy. "You were so brave, I didn't know you could fight."

She brushed her hair gently over her shoulders and inhaled. "I've been into martial arts since I was a kid. Plus, you're one of my sister's friends, so I wasn't going to let something happen if I saw something going on." She wasn't sure what took place exactly, whether it was a mugging or something else. Her eyes travelled to the man talking with one of the officers. "So who's that guy? New guy you're dating?"

Cat turned her head and nodded. "That's Jason, he's Mr. Sikowitz's nephew. I'm not sure he's very interested in me since he's been distracted this whole night."

"Ah." As the officer walked away, Trina approached the man and crossed her arms. "You okay?" Jason looked at her with arched eyebrows and a growing smile. She was just checking in as he was also involved. "I see you're dating Cat."

"Not really, I mean she basically dragged me out of my uncle's home. We were supposed to meet with some friends of mine, but they never showed up." Jason ran his hand over the back of his neck and started to chuckle. "I confess, I don't know this area too well. Not from around here."

"You're not?" She raised her eyebrows and looked back at Cat. "It's a dangerous city. What about your friends, Jason? It is 'Jason', right?" The man nodded and shrugged his shoulders.

"I met them recently." She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head from side to side. "They seemed decent enough."

"Okay. As long as you're both safe." Trina turned around and gestured for Cat to come closer. The bubbly redhead moved over in a hurry. "How about you two go to my place and wait for my sister to finish that thing you're doing?" Cat smiled gently and nodded.

Trina wanted to keep an eye on Cat so she could make sure the girl was alright. A mugging just took place and the redhead wasn't reacting as much as most might.

Jason walked with them, scratching his chin as Trina walked in the front. Her back was straight and her arms swung with each step she made, her hands closed tight and fierce glare scanned the area. "This area in particular is more dangerous at night," Trina remarked, "You need to be careful out here."

"Do you come out here very often?" Jason inquired. "Also, I don't believe I got your name."

"Katrina. Trina for short." She looked back with a simple smile, nodding her head. "Trina Vega." Jason's eyebrows rose and his lips formed an oval.

"Ah, like the Captain of your police force? Captain Vega." Trina started to smirk as Cat answered that Captain Vega was Trina's father. "He knows my uncle fairly well."

Trina shrugged. "He's a decent guy." She stopped in front of her car and looked at Cat. "Did you bring your car? Either of you?" It wasn't that far from Sikowitz's home, so there was a good chance they walked-but even she wouldn't walk in this part of town.

"We walked," Cat replied, "Wanted to enjoy the scenery." Trina raised a hand to her forehead and proceeded to unlock the car.

"Great. Get in, then."

Jason entered the front passenger side and Cat got in the back. "How long have you studied combat arts, Trina?" Jason looked at her curiously, watching as she started up the car and shifted the gear into drive.

"Since I was a kid. Dad tried to teach me all these things." David would take her to the range, and even when she was younger, they'd go out to her grandparents' farm and she'd learn to shoot. "Learned to shoot when I was six. Gramps would take me hunting with Dad."

"Intriguing."

Cat threw her hands to her head, gasping aloud. "How come no one knows how good of a fighter you are!" Trina's eyes drifted to the rearview. She blinked slowly and shrugged.

"No one asked? I'm still learning."

Jason hummed. "No matter how proficient someone becomes at something, there's always a chance to learn more." Trina rolled her head to the right, then the left, sighing heavily.

"True."

Cat's arms folded across her chest, and her eyebrows sank down. "The way you portray yourself is a little different, Trina…you're always acting like a diva." Trina threw her head back with a laugh. She came to a stoplight and turned her head over her shoulder.

"Not all of that is an act; but at the same time, a lot of it is. If you show who you are all the time, then you're an open book with no secrets. I don't want people to think that I can fight. I emerge from the shadows, springing into action when no one expects me."

"So you're tougher than you seem?"

"Maybe." Trina started up the car and fell silent as she drove into her neighborhood. It wasn't so simple as what Cat was thinking, but there was nothing she needed or wanted Cat knowing about.

When it was around people she didn't like, when it was around those she didn't trust, she would paint an image of herself that she wanted them to see. She still loved flashy dresses, but she wasn't so materialistic as she had a spending addiction.

To Tori's friends, she was a crazy and materialistic diva that was obsessed with fame. To Tori, she knew Trina just saw her as wanting to be involved in whatever it was she was doing and knew that her older sister just liked buying new things and eating out at places she couldn't afford.

For Trina, it wasn't so much wanting to be involved in Tori's life; she didn't like her sister's friends and would put herself in their presence as often as she could. She didn't want to appear overprotective, so she put on an act to make them thing she was obsessively trying to be famous.

"It's a little more complicated than you think," Trina said finally. They pulled into the driveway and she exited the vehicle first. Cat stepped up next to her, narrowing her eyes and curling a finger over her lip.

"How complicated?"

"I've said more than I care to." Once they were inside the house, Trina could relax. Robbie was already there, surprisingly, but that was fine. Since he was there, he could provide conversation for Cat and her date.

Trina made her way up the stairs and stood at the top, grasping the handrails firmly as she stared down at the group. Her chest heaved and her eyes slanted as David approached her from down the hall. "How was the gym?" He asked.

"It was alright. Stopped Cat from getting herself killed, though."

David raised his eyebrow and leaned back. "That was you? My officers said some girl stopped a mugging."

"I couldn't just let them hurt Cat." Trina rolled her eyes and started down the hallway. "Heaven forbid what Tori and her friends would say if something happened and they knew I could have done something."

"It was dangerous."

"I know." Once she was in her bedroom, she locked the door behind her and started to get ready for bed. She stood with her back turned towards the vanity mirror and desk propped up against the wall facing the foot of her bed. Her fingers grasped the bottom of her shirt and she started to pull it upwards.

Her narrow eyes spilled over her shoulder, slating further as her shirt lifted above two round and pinkish scars on her upper back, just between her shoulder blades.

The next morning, Trina awoke to a vivid dream. One that could have doubled as a memory, it felt so real. Her entire body was covered in a hot sweat as she recalled the fire in the dream.

A young girl, clutching a smaller child, and a dark figure standing above them.

Trina shook her head slowly and looked down at her scarred feet. With a sigh, she pulled socks over them and started to dress herself. The clock on her wall showed ten minutes after noon, so with an annoyed grunt, she left her room.

As she made her way down the stairs, she heard the chatter of Tori's friends. Trina stopped on the third step from the ground and folded her hands around the railing. "I can't believe he let you stay all night," Robbie said with a laugh, "You and Beck both?"

Jade hissed at them, throwing her finger out. "I'm not happy about this." Beck pushed his hand through his hair and closed his eyes. "Seriously, I'm not."

"Nothing happened," he replied. "Jesus Jade, I swear you can't stop being paranoid for one minute!"

Trina walked past the group, hoping they'd just ignore her. When she heard Cat shout, a chill ran through her body. "There she is! Guys, you should have seen Trina last night!" Trina grabbed a peach from the fruit bowl on the counter and bit into it slowly. "She was so heroic."

Tori spun around, looking at Trina with wide eyes. "Cat told us you stopped a mugging." Trina started to say something, but was cut off by Jade heckling her.

"I can't picture your drama queen sister stopping any kind of mugging." Jade nudged Cat swiftly. "Are you sure it was her? You did just experience a trauma."

"It was. She was all tough and everything."

"I did what was needed." Trina turned around and saw her father leaning in the doorway of his office. His arms were crossed and his eyes were fixated on her. "Hey Dad." David smiled and uncrossed her arms.

"Trina." He motioned for her to follow him. "Would you come here, please?" Trina made her way to him, ignoring Tori's friends as they joked about her being in some sort of trouble.

He shut the door behind her and moved towards his desk. "What's this about, Dad?"

"Last night." She rolled her eyes and sat in the leather chair across from him. She was prepared for a lecture about how she could have gotten herself killed. Part of her cared, but overall, she had to act. "Do you have any idea who that man was that was with your sister's friend?"

"Just some guy, I figure."

David leaned back, crossing his arms and pacing around the desk. "No, Trina, he's not just 'some guy'." David stood in front of her and leaned his waist against the edge of his desk. His gaze was sharp and his mouth was twisted into a frown. "There's a country that rests above Ireland and the United Kingdom, settled by Celts several hundred years ago." Trina blinked twice and tapped her foot on the ground.

"Okay, and?"

"It's the country of Vander." Trina pursed her lips and pulled her eyebrows together.

"Interesting name."

"Yes well…" David took a deep breath. "Vander is a monarchy. A dynastic monarch, the same family has ruled for nearly two hundred years." She wasn't sure she liked where this was heading, because there would be no reason for her dad to talk about some kingdom on a little known country far away. "Recently this family has fallen under attack, the king has been assassinated and the Queen has sent her son in hiding. The entire country is in a state of civil war, which the Queen is trying to bring an end to."

"What's the point of all this?"

"The man you just rescued last night was Prince Jason of Vander, next in line to the throne." She did a double take, dropping her jaw open and leaning forward.
"He's been staying with his uncle, the Queen's brother, here in the states for his own protection." David put his hand to his chest and closed his eyes. "I am overseeing their stay here."

"You're joking, right?"

"I wish I could say I was." David grabbed an envelope off his desk and handed it to her. "It's a letter." Trina raised an eyebrow and took the item with steady hands. "From Jason."

"What is he, thanking me or something?"

"Something like that." David's face tensed as she removed the letter from the envelope and started to read it. "Evidently you impressed him last night. He's convinced his uncle of your skills and the two are requesting you serve as an official bodyguard."

"Excuse me?" Trina lowered the letter, chuckling with disbelief. "Who in the hell would hire an eighteen year old girl to protect a royal monarch?"

David tilted his head and raised his eyebrows up. "I'll train you in the necessary job requirements. Mr. Sikowitz seems to feel a bodyguard closer in age would bring more comfort and security for his nephew, and I've already vouched for you."

"Come on." Trina set the envelope down, still continuing her chuckling. "This is crazy. I stopped a mugging."

"What you stopped was an assassination attempt in which Jason was the target of. Someone's found out where he's hiding, and now he needs protection in this city." Trina closed her eyes and David smiled gently. "You know this city so well, you've trained in combat since you were a little girl, and you're around the same age. I think you're a good fit. At least until this civil war going on over there is over."

She tried to think of what could happen if she turned down the assignment. The royal family would just have to find someone else, but then, the guy seemed like he needed someone who knew the streets well enough. She didn't think she was a better fit than anyone else, but if she was the one they wanted, then who was she to turn down the request?

"Besides." David looked to the right and his shoulders fell. "You'll report to me." Trina hummed thoughtfully as she pictured her father as her boss. "Whatever your findings, your daily activities…anything that happens with the Prince. Where he goes, what he does, who he talks to-these things are the things you will report."

"Fine." She wasn't confident, but it was a job at least. She was surprised Jason didn't have a bodyguard, but then if he had, that guard was doing a shitty job considering last night. "Until the end of that civil war at least." It was a dangerous job, her father knew this; so perhaps that was the reason he wanted her reporting to him. At the very least, he could do his job and keep a watchful eye on his daughter as well.

What are some of your observations and thoughts? This is just the first chapter, more is to come.