DISCLAIMER: I do not own PD and/or its characters; only use them for my satisfaction; and am only responsible for anything I write.

RATING: M

WARNINGS: adult situations, language.

CATAGORY: drama, romance

TITLE: Till Death Do Us Part, the SEQUEL

Chapter one

It could have been ages, or only yesterday. It seemed more like yesterday. Of course she was staring at the pale pink scar that traveled her forearm. She seemed so bothered by it. Though her physician deemed it very necessary and did his best to keep it minimal, it would always be there as a reminder. She couldn't erase it, not with all the crown jewels in the palace vault. It ran at just the right angle for her to always notice it. Tracing a finger down the rigid, raised skin, she took a deep breath and tried to rationalize what would surly come today.

She had been up long since dawn, sensing the tension and concern on his part over the past several months. Clarisse had long since ran out of excuses, and the unease that plagued the bottom of her stomach had given in to a night of unrest. Something about the way he had looked at her the evening before; something told her he would bring it out into the open again soon, very soon.

Joseph had always spoken his mind, and now that they were far closer than they should be, it was easier for him to take that to a personal level. She could tell herself she hated that all she wanted, but it was no use. She loved for Joseph to fuss over her. It was quite a roll reversal for her, and something she was unaccustomed to. Yes, her staff fussed over her day and night, but Joseph, Joseph actually cared about her. He saw through her little charades and her excuses. Joseph knew what things bothered her and he also knew when she was just being a spoiled brat. Yet there were also the times when she needed him, when she needed to be a woman who was loved and pampered. A blush came across her face at the thought of the last time he pampered her.

She tapped her nails on the polished mahogany desk, listening to it echo around the now vacant room. Clarisse had long excused the staff, either from being overly anxious or just needing to be alone for a few moments before he came. He would come, and soon. Besides, few knew of the true cause of that scar. Of that she could be certain of as well. Never before had she realized the talents of her security until then. Keeping something that big undisclosed was nothing short of a miracle.

They were just footsteps. She could hear the pace and the slight tapping of the soles on the polished floor, and she instantly felt her heart begin to race. From the sound, she knew exactly where he was, and that in only seconds she would be facing him at her open doorway. She took a deep breath and pulled her hands in her lap, hiding her nervousness. She could distinguish his steps in a crowd of thousands.

When they stopped, it brought a slight smile to her face. He was in front of the wall mirror just outside her office. She did the same often enough herself, although taking up much more time than he allowed for himself. Quickly enough the steps resumed, louder than before. He was here.

She raised her eyes to meet his as he stopped momentarily in the doorway, then entering and taking a place across from her. Even now he brought excitement and deep abiding love to her every fibre of being; even now when she knew she would not like what he had to say. It was in his facial expression. It was in the tension that crossed his brow, and the sternness of his cheekbones. Underneath those shades, she could feel the look his eyes betrayed.

"Clarisse," he began, but was quickly interrupted by her.

"Take those off, please Joseph. I know what you have to say." She pushed herself away from her desk and walked quietly over to shut the door.

He watched her move, and felt the pleasure his body associated with it. However today he let it go no further. He did have something to say, and he had a job to do. It would be best for her, and his decision would remain firm. Looking at her, he realized she knew all that already. It was amazing how she could read him so easily sometimes, and vice versa. He also knew how she felt, and how scared she really was.

He slipped his shades off, folded them, and replaced them inside his jacket. "Do you trust me beyond anything, Clarisse?" His question was serious, as serious as any he had ever asked over the years.

Clarisse made her way back over towards her desk, but chose to sit in the chair beside him, directly across from her own. "Yes, Joseph, I do." She slipped her hand in his, which had been only a touch away when she sat.

He nodded, watching their hands together. "Then think of nothing but me. I will be beside you every step of the way. I know you are afraid. I know you have doubts. I know it all, Clarisse. Let me take them from you. Trust me like you depend on me to breathe," he let out his own breath. She squeezed his hand tight and watched her knuckles turn a pale white.

"If you believe I am ready, then so be it." She looked him directly in his dark eyes. "I do trust you, and I am putting my life in your hands. But you're absolutely right, I am afraid...terrified, Joseph. I need you with me."

"I'll be there. I promise. Right beside you, in which ever direction we have to go at the moment. I want to start soon. It'll be a gradual thing, but one I promise you will enjoy if you let yourself." Clarisse loosened her hold on his hand, now full of wonder of what he was up to. "Yes, that's exactly what I said. I promise you, you will enjoy it."

He lifted her hand to his lips, placing a serious of kisses over her hand and fingers. His facial hair was rough, but it stimulated her nerves like nothing she had ever experienced before. With one last kiss, he pulled away and walked out, but not without squeezing her shoulder for a last minute support.

For several minutes after the door shut behind him, she still sat, pondering what was to come. Only minutes before had she been overwhelmed with terror. With a few simple words and intimate jesters, he had calmed most of her fears and had eased her worried mind a great extent. He could do that. Joseph could. No one but he could ever have that much of an impact on her. She did love him, to a depth that even she could not comprehend. He was everything to her, and always had been for as long as she could remember.

'What does he have in mind?' She wondered to herself. She knew enough to be ready for anything. Again she looked at the scar, and this time she felt strong enough to handle it. She reached over she picked up the phone, and dialed the make-shift aide the Genovian Attache Corps had sent her.

"Would you please let my doctor know I'd like to see him, and it's nothing that needs immediate attention. Can you remember that?" Clarisse shook her head, wondering if indeed she would get the message right. Of all the people in the country, she had got stuck with someone who had no idea how to handle things. She missed Amanda. True, she had only been with her for four years, but she had been very dedicated and a lovely young lady. Clarisse would feel that scar for some time as well. She couldn't help but wonder if things would ever get back to some kind of normalcy.