A/N: lol I think it has taken me long enough to get a sequel out, but I needed to finish some stuff, now here is a long awaited, at least I hope it is, sequel to Queen of My Heart. Something happens and now Joe has to… whoa almost gave away the conflict there, lol okay I'll stop teasing you and start the first chapter.

Fire, there was fire everywhere. He couldn't see the flames were too high the smoke was too much and he just couldn't see. He could feel the heat burning his skin as he crawled along the floor somewhere a child was crying. Somewhere someone was shouting. He didn't understand. An image of Clarisse floated by and then he was dancing with her.

He laughed and he twirled her around. He wished he could stay but something caught his eyes. Where the east wall should have been was open flames and he could see the burning carnage. Next thing he knew he was on the ground being pulled back to the fire. He tired to pull himself forward, but with out any hope he was back in the fire.

What was keeping him here? He looked about and suddenly knew it was a dream. He could control it. Like magic the flames around him died and before him stood Rhea. She seemed unscathed by the flames, but he there was something wrong. "Joe…" He voice seemed different.

"Rhea…" he whispered back.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you…"

"Tell me what?" He shouted.

"Please… Just take care of them…"

"What? Take care of whom?"

But before he could get an answer the flames shot up around him and there was so much noise, just noise he couldn't hear what else she was saying. Only her mouth was moving. He tired shouting at her, but he did not prevail. Soon the heat was too much and he felt his skin burn he cried out in pain…

Joe burst awake drenched in cold sweat. His breaths slowly slowed as he rested his head on his knees. That blasted dream! Why? Why does it haunt him? Every night it has been the same night terror, he cold not shake it. He felt a body next to him stir and he realized he may have cried out in his sleep. Still he did not move as small slender arms hugged his neck.

"What is wrong, dear?"

"Nothing, just a dream…"

"The one with Rhea and the fire?"

"Yes." There was silence between them. He felt one of her hands move to rub his back. The soothing motions calmed him almost instantly. Joe smiled to himself, he wasn't sure how she could do it, but she always managed to make things better. He turned slightly and looked at her. Clarisse was his wife now; actually they had only technically been married for about a month. He looked at her and she smiled back.

"What are you smiling about?" she asked, "I thought you just had a nightmare?"

"I did, but my Queen was great enough to save me."

Clarisse rolled her eyes almost playfully. It was strange since they have been married it was almost like they were young again. She knew Mia had noticed, especially since Joe had been so energetic lately. Mia had once told Clarisse she had caught Joe singing to himself. He looked at her for a moment and then kissed her. He quickly let go though and rolled over to sleep. She hit his shoulder and he laughed.

"I was only kidding." He said as he turned back around.

"Clearly." She replied.

"Come" He laid down flat and she lay down beside him. Then she got close to him and felt his strong arms around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I think its time for sleep again."

"Perhaps." Clarisse replied.

The next day past almost with little excitement, Joe got up, had a shower and ate breakfast. He ignored Mia teasing and wandered around the library for a good book. These days Joe didn't have much to do except wander. He was retired and had nothing better to do then wander. Clarisse spent most of her time trying to help Mia as much as possible, but some days Joe was able to convince her otherwise and spend time with him. But today was not one of those days.

He just came out of the kitchen after lunch when one of the servants stopped him. "Sir, there is a car driving up to just now with two men who want to speak with you."

"What do they want?"

"I do not know, Sir."

"Right, thank you." Then he left the servant and head to the front door. He was just coming down the stairs when Mia and Clarisse came out of a door to the right. He looked at them and they looked at him and they all knew not to say anything yet. The doors open and two men in black suits were escorted in.

One of them had dark hair and green eyes, the other had blonde hair and blue eyes. Two security men checked them over and determined they were clear to some in further. The dark haired man spoke first. "We are here on the behalf of one, Rhea Boetti."

"What could she want?" Mia glared; clearly outraged Rhea would even attempt to return here after what she did.

"Mia." Joe said with slight warning. Held up his hand in her direction to keep her calm, "I can handle this."

The men looked at each other and the dark haired one continued. "Then you are…" He looked down at the sheet. "Joseph?"

"Yes."

"Then we need to speak in private."

"Of course this way." Then he led them through the palace to a small business room that Mia often uses when she is in a meeting with diplomats. He held out a hand and offered them to sit at the table. They sat and then Joe sat down too. "What business does Rhea, have with me?"

The blonde haired one spoke this time. "Then you do not know?"

"Know what?"

"Rhea Boetti has past away."

"What?"

"Yes, last week in a fire she… well…"

"I see then you bring her affairs to me."

Then the dark haired one answered. "No, you see Joseph of all the people she knew, it was you she trusted the most even if you did not return her feelings."

"How would you know of that?"

The dark haired one glared, "Even though we are lawyers we were her friends too."

Joe sighed, "Yes, I am sorry if I offended you then."

"Right, well, why we are here. She left in your care her sons."

Joe looked him straight in the eyes with a sharp snap. "Her sons?"

"She did not tell you?"

"No…"

Then the blonde haired one spoke. "Well never the less you now have charge over them. Her eldest is seventeen and his name is Adrian James and he youngest, who is four, Joshua Joseph."

"There are only two?"

"Yes."

"I see."

"Well we will bring the two next week and until then here is a letter Rhea wrote for you."

Joseph took the letter and placed it on the table in front of him. He watched the two men be escorted out of the room and then he stared at it. What could she say to him?