Royals: A Different Beginning

Chapter 6

"I don't know, Jackie. You might have to pick someone up on the street on your way," Emily said, leaning back in her chair at the nurse's station. Jackie leaned against the counter, racking her brain. 

A hand landed on Jackie's shoulder. She didn't even have to look to know who it was. 

"Hello, ladies."

"Hi, Dr. Ted," Jackie and Emily sighed. It only took a moment for the women to look at each other, their eyes widening. 

Jackie turned to Dr. Ted, putting on her best smile. "What are your plans for tonight?"

Dr. Ted looked shocked. "I- um-"

"Nothing?" Jackie asked. She felt a strange combination of emotions: hopefulness that Dr. Ted would go with her, and disgust that she was even speaking to him. 

"No, I'm free."

"Do you want to come to Boujis with me and some friends?" Jackie asked hopefully.

Dr. Ted nodded hastily, managing to choke out, "Yes!"

Jackie forced a smile as Emily gawked at her in disbelief. "Okay, meet me there at 10."

---

The thudding of the bass inside of Boujis shook the sidewalk outside of the club. Jackie peered over the dozens of heads waiting in line to get in, searching for Dr. Ted. She had slipped through the back door with Will, Kate, Harry, Beatrice, and Eugenie, but her date had yet to arrive. Jackie was careful to stay mostly hidden from sight behind a large fronded plant next to the entrance. Finally, she saw Dr. Ted appear around the corner. To her dismay he was wearing a tuxedo- the tuxedo he bought while shopping with his mom. 

Jackie poked her head out, waving him over. Because he was with Jackie, a celebrity, Dr. Ted got past the bouncer without a problem. 

"Jackie, good to see you!" Dr. Ted gushed, leaning in to give Jackie a kiss. 

She dodged it with ease, leaving Dr. Ted to give her an awkward hug. 

"Should we go in, then?" Jackie asked, a bit breathlessly. She led Dr. Ted inside. With her heels on, Jackie was a bit taller than him, so she felt like his mother as they weaved through the crowded and loud club. 

Dr. Ted bought Jackie a drink, which she eagerly accepted. Her eyes scanned the room for her friends, whom she spotted near the VIP lounge. "Come on," Jackie called, motioning for Ted to follow. 

Jackie waved to her friends as she approached, disappointed that Harry was no where in sight. Kate and the others smiled as Jackie introduced them to Ted. "Everyone, this is my friend, Ted Marshall." 

"Hi, Ted Marshall, good to meet you," Kate said, sticking out her hand. 

Dr. Ted shook her hand, leaning in, yelling a bit too loud even for the packed club. "Dr. Ted is fine!"

Kate's brows raised ever so slightly, her eyes flicking to Jackie. Jackie had told Kate about a million work horror stories about her interactions with Dr. Ted, so she was sure her friend was totally confused as to why he was her date for the night. "Alright then, Dr. Ted." 

Beatrice and Eugenie thought Dr. Ted was absolutely hilarious, though Jackie wasn't sure if they were laughing with him or at him. The sisters were a fun time and had the naughty, teasing sense of humor of their mother, Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson, Duchess of York. 

After about two minutes of listening to Dr. Ted attempt to explain the proper methods of a colon MRI to Kate and William, Jackie had enough. "I'm going to get another drink, anyone want anything?"

Everyone shook their heads, and Dr. Ted was too absorbed in his story to follow as Jackie made her way back to the bar. She leaned against it with a sigh, resting her head on the sticky surface. 

"Tired?" a voice asked. 

Jackie lifted her head up to see Harry standing next to her, his back against the bar, a beer in hand. "No, just resting. Only one beer tonight?" 

Harry was unfazed by Jackie's dig. "Did your boyfriend keep you up all night?"

Jackie scowled. "Maybe." 

"Why don't you just tell him to get lost?" Harry asked. "He's obviously bothering you."

"I happen to really like Dr. Ted," Jackie sniffed. She pretended to look around. "Where's Chelsy? Or Cressida?" 

Harry turned to face Jackie, letting out a small laugh. "I'm unaccompanied tonight." 

"Pity," Jackie shot back. She eyed Harry a bit. "Why?"

"I haven't seen Chelsy since last year, and Cressida-" he paused at the name of his most recent girlfriend, "-had to focus on her career." 

Jackie pursed her lips. The last she'd heard Harry and Cressida were still together. Her frozen heart softened for a moment. "Well, that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear that." 

"It's alright, it wasn't working out anyway. She was always complaining about the paparazzi, and just about everything else, for that matter." Harry nudged Jackie. "She couldn't handle everything like you." 

Jackie nearly cracked a smile. "Well, not everyone's cut out for it." 

"Speaking of that-" Harry was cut off when another body snaked in between them. Jackie groaned at the sight of Dr. Ted, his eyes a bit wild. 

Dr. Ted stuck out his hand to Harry. "I'm Dr. Ted, Jackie's boyfriend. Who are you?"

Harry laughed loudly. "I'm Harry, Jackie's bodyguard. I'm going to have to ask you to remain at least five paces from Ms. Baker." 

Dr. Ted squared his shoulders. "Listen, Jackie doesn't want you bothering her-" 

Harry cut him off. "I think you're a bit confused as to which of us are bothering her." 

"You're the one who broke her heart!" Dr. Ted screeched, slamming his fist on the bar. 

Jackie's mouth hung open. She stopped Harry, who was about to say something. "Ted, get out of here."

Dr. Ted looked confused. "Jackie- wait-" 

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have invited you."

Dr. Ted was going to speak, but Jackie's cold stare and Harry looming over his shoulder was enough to send him running for the hills. 

"Good for you, standing up for yourself!" Harry congratulated, holding up a hand.

Jackie high-fived him, and for only a second, it felt like the old days. She had to remind herself that it wasn't 2004, and that she was still mad at Harry for what he did to her. Jackie handed Harry her empty glass and said, "I don't appreciate you bullying my boyfriend."