DISCLAIMER: I do not own PD and/or it's characters. I get nothing from this but satisfaction, and am responsible only for the following storyline.

Chapter 1

Sweeping through the open double doors, Charlotte crossed the room to Her Majesty's desk. It was a Sunday, however the afternoon still required prompt attention to some foreign matters. Queen Clarisse dotted the few i's in her name, and awaited for more papers to sign.

"Just one more for you to sign," as Charlotte dropped the heavy propostion before her. Clarisse picked up her pen and thumbed through the pages to the end, where she signed. "Your Majesty, you also have a dinner invitation for tomorrow night."

"I'll be in Cairo tomorrow night," Clarisse stated to her aide, while slipping off her glasses.

"Yes, m'am. It's from a Talmadge Mendoza, he states he will be in Cairo as well, and would like to meet with you." Clarisse leaned back in her chair, a wide smile playing on her face. Clearly she was more than happy to hear the name.

"Charlotte, send word that I accept, and am looking forward to seeing him again. Please make all the regular arrangements as well for me to attend." She traced her lips with her glasses.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Charlotte turned to leave, left bemused by her Queen's sudden excitment.

Joseph stood rooted by her door, having heard every word of the invitation. It more than peaked his curiousity, and frankly he didn't like it. He never liked her dining with any man, but one he didn't know tore at his soul. She seemed to love the idea, and that was much more than a usual political dinner would ever get from her. He tensed at the thought of another man with her, but was brought back by the clicking of her heels.

"Joseph I'd like to leave shortly, if you would make the arrangements please," she threw out his orders as she walked swiftly by, heading toward the grand staircase. He had never felt so belittled in his life. She was only doing her job, and asking him do his, but there was much more. Clarisse had left him cold. There had been something harsh in her voice, and it had been directed at him.

He sat on the jet, watching her smile to herself, looking out the porthole of a window. She even seemed to glow. Joseph thought he would be sick. He tried to read, to take his mind off the situation, but to no avail. How could he forget? This woman across from him, he was passionately in love with. Yet he had never had the strength nor the opportunity to let her know. To be honest, he was even scared. Not of the Queen herself, but of the power she would have over him if she did not return his love. It would be humiliating, to say the least.

Cairo was only an hours flight away. Clarisse squirmed in her seat, unable to surpress the excitement of seeing him once again. Her head filled with memories, putting a smile on her lips. Yes, he had made her happy. Staring out the window, she wondered if he had changed much; how he would look, what he would sound like, if he still had that geeky sense of humor she had loved in him. It wasn't often she had something so marvelous to look forward to on one of her trips outside the country. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

She was beautiful. Joseph stood inside her suite, watching her lean against the railing on her balcony. The wind blew slightly, just enough to ripple her hair. He loved when she leaned back as the air passed over her face. The sun shone bright, almost illuminating the white outfit she wore. Cleary she was enjoying the view, the few minutes of peace and quiet she was not use to. He wanted to tell her now, and was trying to persuade himself to take the few steps out to meet her. His feet wouldn't move. Clarisse was happy now, and who was he to impose on her happiness. After all, that is all he wanted anyway.

"Joseph?" Charlotte called to him rather unexpectedly, breaking his train of thought.

"Oh, yes?" He turned to her, as she busied herself around the suite.

"Her Majesty wanted me to let you know that you can take tomorrow night off."

"What? Wait, I thought she was going out?" His curiousity peaked.

"She is, she insured me that she will be well protected, and there's no reason for you to have to come along. Take the night off, Joe, you're in Cairo, surely you can find something exciting to do!" Charlotte smiled at him, expressing her excitement at being here.

Joseph put one foot in front of the other, this time moving slowly, however in the wrong direction. All he had to do was turn around, but his body kept heading for the door to his suite. His feet were heavy, as well as his heart. He had been dismissed on a night that he wanted to be with her more than ever. Just thinking of someone else touching her made him boil with anger. It came to him that no one could protect her like he could, and he intended on doing so, whether she knew it or not.