Chapter Fifteen
"Why didn't you tell me?"
They were on the roof of the servants quarters, watching the sunset.
Bri leaned against Tyler's chest -- eeerr, Wills' chest -- errr, you know what I mean --gazing at his face. His open shirt caressed her face softly as the wind blew. She gazed at his face. His dark hair, his green eyes. That was William in there...
Wills/Tyler held her close, not wanting to lose her.
Bri tried to understand. "I mean, I'm your friend, right?"
William kissed her on the top of her head. More than... he thought, afraid to say it out loud.
"And I feel that means I should participate in your life... including the bad parts," she snuggled close to him, a frown on her face.
"Would you have listened?" William reasoned. "On the phone: you would've heard Tyler's voice. If I appeared at your front door you wouldve seen Tyler's face..." Wills/Tyler looked at the sky as if he could see the reflection of his face there. As if he could look into his eyes and find himself there. "... then you would've run straight to him."
"Probably." Bri winced as she remembered how she treated the servant when she first came. "Probably."
Silence. William went back inside the room and Bri followed him.
"Why'd you do it, Wills?" It felt good to say that name on her lips again. Without frustration. Without speculation.
"When my mom died; all that media attention. All I could think of was: I don't want to be me. I don't want to be me. Tyler took advantage of that."
Mean, mean boy. Let's go pelt him with sunflower seeds and stuff cheese in his socks!
"But he knew about things... Our first kiss... how we acted when we'd ride..."
"Spying," Wills/Tyler gave a bitter laugh. "He loved to spy. I had to live with him coming up to me and saying 'I know what dirty little thing you did Wills. I'm gonna tell your mum what her precious little boy's doing.' Whether I broke something, kissed you, or he just said it to give me the willies."
"So what do we do now?" She ran her fingers through his hair. Her fingers trailed his facial features. The bridge of his nose. The outline of his jaw. "You can switch back, right?" Her back stiffened. What if the answer was no?
Harry came in. "William, there's going to be a storm tonight. If we can actually --" he stopped talking when he saw Bri put on her shirt.
"Hi, Harry," she bent over in a chair to tie the laces of her shoe.
Harry inched closer to Wills/Tyler and asked through the side of his mouth. "Does she know?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." Harry watched Bri lace her other shoe. "Did you two just, um..." He stopped when he saw the look. "Never mind." He walked over to the dresser. "Bri, Wills, there's going to be a storm."
"Why are you excited about that?" Bri asked as William followed his brother.
"Well, Tyler and I need a storm if we want to exchange bodies." Wills explained, as he looked at the weather pictures Harry had brought with him. "The lightning makes it happen."
"How Frankenstien inspired." Bri drawled.
Harry produced two necklaces from the dresser drawer. They were engraved pendants, one pink and the other green, possibly jade, hanging on fine gold chains. "Talismans. William has to wear one, and so does Tyler. Lightning hits them on Switch Mountain..." He fumbled for words. His hands waved in a gesture... " and all will be restored."
"Tyler is not going to wear that and go to Switch Mountain voluntarily." Wills pointed out.
Harry looked at the girl. "Bri you're going to have to ..."

"Almost ready," Tyler/Wills told Bri as he put on his sweater.
Bri watched patiently near the doorway.
"Hold on," he stalled once again. He took a packet of cigarettes from a false bottom of his hope chest and tucked in the inner pocket of his jacket.
They walked down the hallway. Bri had asked Tyler on a date. From the look on his face when she said the word she knew what intentions he had for saying yes. The reaction was even counted on. The things I do for Wills, she thought. "Tyler..." Bri said his name. Her mouth was dry and it struggled to escape her lips.
His eyes grew wide in surprise, then came a laugh. "I forgot. You know." He leaned Bri against the walls and placed a lock of hair between his thumb and forefinger caressing it. "Call me, Wills," he requested. He had a boyish grin and scrunched his nose in happiness. "It turns me on."
One of the servants passed. "Good evening, Your Highness. Miss Brianna." The elderly, plump woman greeted. "Ready to go out, I see." There was a knowing look in her eye.
Tyler waved cordially with his free hand. When she was gone he turned his affections back on Bri. "And we don't want anyone else to find out, do we?" He raised one of her limp hands to his lips and kissed it.
"Okay..." Bri added, "Wills." He voice sounded flat.
Tyler let go of her hand. He stared into her eyes. Peered, searching. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine!" a high pitched giggle escaped her. "I'm just anxious. About tonight. Being with you." Flattery. Flattery.
Tyler continued staring.
At his expression, Bri frantically lunged at him. She grabbed the back of his neck firmly, and kissed him the way she knew he liked it. Forcing herself, she elicited a moan. Deciding it was a good time as any she slipped the talisman in the back of his jeans pocket in the disguise of a pinch on his bum. When she pulled away from Tyler, the puzzled look was still there.
Slowly, Tyler licked his lips.
Bri waited nervously.
A moment passed. He laughed and led her down the stairs.

"I don't like the thought of her being alone with him," William said into the CB radio in the car he was waiting in. He hated the chauffeur cap. It went down over his eyes. How are people expected to drive like this?
"Relax," Harry said through crackled static. "Brianna's handled him before.. Shes all right."
"I don't know," William tapped his thumbs on the steeringwheel. In the rearview mirror Tyler was escorting Bri out of the Palace and down the walkway. He's making my blonde hair grow long, William thought. "Harry, he agreed to go out with her tonight no questions asked? Something's not right."
"You're just being paranoid. Lad wants her. Stick to the plan. Everything will be--"
"They're coming." Wills turned off the radio.
"Good evening, Tyler," the one dressed in sweater and jeans greeted.
"Evening, Your Highness." The chauffeur returned. "Miss Brianna."
Their eyes met in the mirror. They were to keep the charade that Brianna hadn't come to him with her discovery.
"Hi, Tyler," Bri whispered as her neck was being devoured in animalistic kisses. The boy was making excited puppy dog sounds.
William looked away.
Hand reaching out Tyler (the sweater and jeans dude) pressed the divider up.
William (chauffeur) pulled out of the driveway and concentrated on driving. He didnt want to think what was going on behind him. He consoled himself that this was best. With the divider up and Tylers attention on Bri, he wont look out the window and realize the route they were taking was going to Switch Mountain.

William (remember, chauffeur) parked the limo in a secluded spot at the bottom of the mountain. He opened the door for Bri. "Are you all right?" he asked taking her hand to help her out.
"I'm fine," Bri assured. Her feet ground into the soft dirt outside the car. Tyler had gone out on the other side.
"No one move," Tyler (prince body, sweater and jeans guy) ordered.
They turned around (that's totally disobeying him, isn't it?).
Bri and Wills stared down the barrel of the gun Tyler had pointed at them

Chapter Sixteen
"This one's loaded," Tyler assured Bri. The blueness of his eyes cold and calculating.
Bri couldn't say anything. She turned to her right at her friend. She bit her lower lip.
Tyler motioned them to move closer, make an about face, and start walking. William and Bri exchanged glances. Their eyes averted to the mountain's peak. It was a long hike to the woods.
"I knew you'd try something like this," Tyler said. (Oh look! A monologue to help the time go by! Isn't he nice?) "I'm surprised it took you this long. A few more days and who knows what Bri and I would've done. Maybe you had some thrill watching me move in on your girlfriend!"
Bri asked. "If you knew all along, how come you--"
"Came?" Tyler finished. His blonde bangs fell across his eyes as he jerked the gun against William's back. "Because of this guy!" He stepped closer to Wills making the conversation an intimate exchange of words. "I bet you want your old life back, don't you? The chauffeuring, the your royal highnesss, that old fart you have for father! I love you, son. Good show, son. Be good, son" he mimicked, his breath a stench in Wills' nostrils. He snapped, "Stay where you are, Bedford. I can still see you." His attention went back to Wills. It was the profile of Tyler Noble outlined in the moonlight. How he couldn't wait to be rid of it. "You're the only thing standing in the way. I take you out. I have nothing to worry about." He cast the question out at Bri, "I don't really think anyone's going to miss a St. James servant, do you?"
Bri stopped walking long enough to look back. She faced forward and continued to walk.
Tyler shook his head. "Didn't think so." He stepped back where he could watch both of them. "So thank you for planning this wonderful get together. Saves me the trouble." He stepped on Wills' heels.
Wills fell, skinning his palms and chin. Not saying anything he got back up. After a while he ventured. "This is between you and me. Why bring her?"
"She's my insurance you wont do anything stupid."
Bri was breathing hard. Her eyes darted to Wills whose expression showed nothing.
"This is far enough," Tyler told them. "Turn around."
They did so.
Tyler reached into his back pocket and took the carved stone out. "Cute," he praised. He tossed it into the dirt between them.
Bri cast William an apologetic look.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Wills?" Tyler asked. "Youre worried about your little public reputation?" He sneered. "You weak, pathetic git! You still have your head in the clouds." The moonlight reflected over the revolvers smooth metal. "The public doesn't want you to be the golden armored prince. They like seeing you make mistakes. They like seeing you appear more human. I took you down from your snooty pedestal and made you one with them!"
Begs one to ask what people consider as human, Bri thought. She shivered. She told herself it was from the cold.
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "You think you would've done it differently?" Tyler shook his head. "Eventually you would've found out what I already knew and then you would've become --" he sniffed then smiled smugly. "-- well, me."
Don't believe him, Wills. Bri pleaded in her head. Don't believe him.
What the other boy believed or didn't believe wasnt noticeable except for maybe the slight tightening of his jaw.
"I --" Tyler prolonged that adored pronoun. " --just learned things earlier than you." He paused. "You know who I learned it from?" The smile spread slow and sweet. Like a regal lion before biting into his kill.
The two dared not ask.
The words were whispered. "Your mum."
William tackled him, bringing him to the ground.
The chauffeur cap fell off. The gun flew.
"Take it back! Take it back!" Wills cussed at Tyler. The words sputtered from his mouth. "You asshole. Bastard." He grabbed Tyler by the shoulders and held him down.
"She was a tart, Wills." The maniacal grin was growing with every blow the angered prince gave him. "You know it. And the world loved her for it. Poor, royal, rich girl." Tyler felt something described as a rush when Wills was on top of him. The angry fire in the green eyes that his own words had ignited. The trembling cherub lips. Was widdle pwincie gowing to cwy?
Bri looked at the clouds over head gathering dark and thick. Lightning flashed and she noticed the talismans -- the one on hanging outside the chauffeur's uniform and the one of the ground -- glowing. She had to remind Wills what they were there for. "Wills! Wills!" she screamed trying to get his attention.
Look at this from the perception of a snail: what have we here? Green rock. About my size. Whats that line snaking out from it. Snail slowly moves toward it.
Bri ran to the ground where the talisman fell. Picking it up from the dirt she ran over to the fighting boys.
The blonde boy shoved his opponent against a tree. He slammed his fist into his jaw. Another hit into the stomach."C'mon, Prince. Look at my face." He approached the boy who was doubled over. "I'm you."
The green eyes looked out from under the black curls wet with sweat. "You're not!" He grabbed him by the shoulders and the two rolled on the ground.
"Didn't you like it when I had the nerve to do stuff you'd never think of doing?" the words came through clenched teeth whn they settled. "Finally having the guts to kiss, Bri. Flicking off the paparazzi. Lie to me! Tell you never wanted to do that." Tyler's hand was on the talisman that hung around the other boy's neck.
"I'm not you. I'm not you." Wills chanted softly trying to drown out Tyler's voice. "I'm never going to become--"
Lightning and thunder flashed through the air.
"WILLIAM!" Bri screamed. She tossed the green talisman and it fell on Tyler's chest and she prayed that it would stay there.
Lightning struck. Or something like lightning. Don't want to incinerate these chracters. Great blinding light! Bri shielded her eyes. Screams of both boys were heard. Guess, Wills forgot to tell Bri that the process of exchanging places was a painful process.
Bri fell back. Her free hand touched cold metal. She realized it was Tyler's gun. She picked it up and aimed it at the spot ready for Tyler in case he was going to try anything. I'm holding a gun! Her panicked brain informed her. Why am I holding a gun. I don't want to hurt anything. She hoped Tyler wasn't going to try anything.
Then it stopped.
Drops of water slid down her face into her eyes blurring her vision. Damn rain, Bri cursed. It was hard to see as it was. She held the much-hated gun in front of her.
"Bri!" one of the boys stood up from the heap shouting.
Bri came forward tentatively, peering at the two outlined figures.
"Don't let him near you!" the other one screamed, laying on the ground. "He's Tyler."
Bri blinked. The first one looked like Wills. Tall, blonde, blue-eyes... The one on the ground, Tyler, black curls chaueffer uniform The boys stood up. The talismans slid from their bodies and fell to the ground. Bri felt something die inside her. She looked at the two boys, gun poised.
"Don't believe him," the one from the ground pleaded. "He's Tyler. The transformation didn't work."
"NO!" the other one nearer to her attempted to touch her hand.
"Stop it both of you!" Bri screamed, jerking away. She blinked not knowing who to believe. The aim of the gun transferred from boy to boy. One of them was William. One of them was Tyler. But...Which was which? Dark-haired. Blonde. Which one? Which ONE???
"Bri, please, you have to believe me. If not he'll kill us both. You know that."
"Oh, just shoot us both," one suggested helplessly, throwing his hands up.
Take both of them out? The world without Tyler... Then again, the world without Prince William. She cursed the stupidity. They shouldve made up a code phrase for William to yell if the transformation had worked. Too late to realize that now.
"I'm Wills!" the blonde bangs fell over blue eyes.
"No, I'm Wills!" The other shouted equally.
How could something so grave end up fall into a childish whining. "Shut up!" Bri screamed. She closed her eyes feeling helpless. Her grip tightened on the holster. This was all for nothing.
"Bri," one of them said her name in persuasive seduction.
"Bri," the other one desperately pleaded.
Bri opened her eyes. The voices. She willed them to call her again.
"Oh, Bri," the body of Prince William took a step forward and held out his hand.
"Bri!" rain dripped from the dark curls of the other boy. He stumbled forward. His green eyes watching her.
Bri contemplated. Satisfied with her decision she aimed at the dark haired lad.
"What?" he exclaimed. "He's the bad guy! Aim that bloody thing at him!"
Bri left the gun where it was.
"I'm Prince William," he screamed.
Bri smiled. Sure of herself now. Her voice calm as she said victoriously, no longer confused. "No you're not."
A look of shock passed over the boy. It quickly faded. Without warning, he lept onto her. The gun accidentally fired. The blonde prince grabbed the boy's waist and restrained him. The gun slipped and transferred possession several times -- like an unplanned game of hot potato -- before landing into someones tight grip not to be released.
"Stand up, both of you," came the command.
Bri and William looked at each other. Had they failed?
They held their hands up and walked to where Tyler wished.
This scene looks familiar. De ja vu? No, wait a minute, Tyler was the blonde one before...
"Games over, Tyler," Bri told him. (Have you noticed whenever theres a gun pointed at someone in the movies theres always this little chitchat? Ive always wondered about that). "Whether you shoot us or not you're not going to get away with it. Your days as the prince are over."
"Bri..." the boy said focusing his eyes on her in what his sick twisted mind perceived as love. "Bri..."
"There they are!" Harry cried, pointing.
A string of policeman appeared on the scene. (Okay, here they are. Late again. Probably stopped for doughnuts on the way over) "Mr. Noble, drop your weapon..."
What the fu-- Tyler thought turning around in confusion.
Bri took advantage of that and gave his hand a high kick.
Tackled from behind, Tyler fell to the ground
"I thought I was too late," Harry ran to his brother and hugged him tightly. The water droplets on his face couldve either been rain or tears. "That he had k-killed you too. And-- And-- " His voice cracked as he couldn't voice the unthinkable.
Prince William stood beside Harry and they watched as the officers took Tyler into the police car. The cars flashing lights and sirens faded away. The royal brothers hugged each other.

Bri walked over to Wills who was sitting on a log. "That could've been me."
"William, what are you saying?"
"Isn't Tyler, right? " Wills asked.
Bri wondered if the question was directed at her.
Wills turned his head sharply and fixed his blue gaze on Bri. "I mean, never having anything denied me?" He grounded his boot toe into the mud. "The world at my finger tips? Taking what I want when I want it!" His voice rose and broke. " ...the prince. Damn!" He bit the last word off and looked down as if shamed. "What if-- what if Tyler was just a foresight of what I'm going to be?"
Bri saw that he was shaking and her heart went out to him.
Wills sighed and looked at the sky. The clouds were thinning and bits and pieces of moonlight found its way to them.
"You're not like that, Wills," Bri stepped in front of him so he would be forced to look at her. "It doesn't matter how you were raised--"
"I'm a spoiled brat," Wills whispered.
Bri winced as she watched her childhood friend insult himself. Maybe this experience was going to take some time to get over. "Listen to me, Wills, you're not like that."
Wills looked at her. "Can you really say I won't turn out like Tyler?"
"Tyler was..." She looked up, not finding the answer there she sat on a log, placing her chin in her hands and her elbows against her thighs. "I don't know what Tyler was."
"A good kisser?" Wills laughed softly which Bri joined in. Wills picked up the pack of cigarettes where it had fallen on the wet ground. He unwrapped box from its plastic and peeled the top off. He tapped one of the sticks out and caught it between his fingers and rolled it back and forth. He said nothing as he stared at it. Shrugging, he placed it between his lips and lit it up. Wills rubbed his hands together and sat down next to Bri, it seemed as if inhaling the cigarette smoke calmed his nerves.
Bri angled her head and suddenly had an urge to move away. "Wills..." fear showed in her voice. "When did you start smoking?"