Henry hadn't seen his wife all day. She had taken her meals in her chambers, and hadn't joined him in the Throne Room for this morning's audience. He knew she was in the castle, but he didn't know if she was avoiding him on purpose. After last night, he wouldn't have been surprised if she was staying away from him. In the early days of their marriage, before their love had gone sour, his days used to feel incomplete if he didn't see her. Though the past decade had changed that, he was suddenly feeling that same restlessness without her. All day he kept searching every room, every hallway for her – for just one glimpse of her. Why? Even he didn't know the answer to that. Perhaps he wanted some reassurance that she was alright; perhaps he wanted to win her back. His wife wasn't one to show anyone the cracks in her armor, especially not to him. Last night, however, her mask had unraveled, and somehow it had left him feeling vulnerable. He should have stopped her as she walked out. He should have stopped her…reassured her of his love for her, convinced her that she was important to him, asked for another chance to rebuild their relationship. He should have said all that and more…but he didn't. He had let the silence between them become an impenetrable wall. Perhaps when he saw her today he could change that…perhaps he could change them...

Catherine could not face her husband. She had poured her heart out in front of him; she had opened her very soul to him – her scars, her tears, her sincerest hopes. But he had just stood there, not uttering a word. When they were younger, when she had trusted him completely and implicitly, she had left herself vulnerable and exposed. And he had ravaged her heart. They had been so happy for a while till the burdens of their marriage began to tear them apart. Ten years without a child – she had been distraught and terrified. She did everything in her power to conceive a child, hoping that would bring them closer together – but all it did was drive them apart. Then, Henry brought Diane back to court, all but officially making her his consort. And there she was, Catherine de Medici, Queen of France – the most powerful woman in the country – completely destroyed. The years only widened the distance and resentment between them till it seemed like taking any step toward Henry was the equivalent of jumping into an abyss. It was too late now. They were both too wounded, too scarred. Although she had revealed her true feelings to him last night, she did not allow herself to expect something good to come of it. On the contrary, she feared she had just handed him a weapon against her. Now, all she had left to do was pretend last night did not happen, to steel herself once again, and to avoid Henry for a bit while she regained her composure.

The court had been gossiping about the events of last night. The King had grown increasingly tense as he watched the Queen converse with one of Lord McKenzie's men. He had then dragged her to his chambers. Since he dismissed everyone there, no one knew exactly what happened between the two of them. But they did know that there had been shouting and terse words. And that when Queen Catherine had exited the King's chambers, her eyes were red, her cheeks were flushed, her hair was undone, and it seemed as though she had been crying. The court had waited in anticipation all day to see how King Henry and Queen Catherine would behave in one another's presence. Although it was not unusual for them to remain apart from one another all day – sometimes for days at a time – it was unusual to see King Henry surreptitiously glancing around for his Queen. What exactly happened between them?...

Catherine strode into the ballroom, resolute and armored like she always was. Henry knew that he would finally see her tonight; she would not miss such an important banquet in honor of the papal envoy – it would have reflected poorly on France and on the Medicis. As Catherine made her way to his side, Henry couldn't help but grin. She was back to her usual haughty façade, looking every bit a queen and completely unperturbed by anyone or anything around her, much less by him. He didn't notice the resignation and sorrow in her eyes until she drew closer to him. Only he could see that he had broken her, damaged her, possibly irreparably. All through the banquet, she played the part of the perfect queen – going through the motions, but never once meeting his gaze. She stood by him, but she was lost to him. At the end of the night, Henry offered Catherine his arm so that they may retire. He had hoped this little gesture would start bridging the distance between them.

"That won't be necessary, Henry. I am perfectly capable of finding my chambers myself." Catherine's voice was even as she tried not to betray her true feelings.

The court held their breath. They had just witnessed the Queen rejecting the King, and King Henry's anger was legendary. He did not take "no" for an answer, particularly when it came from women. Could his wife be any less?

"Catherine…Catherine…I…" King Henry did not appear angry, but he did seem unsure of himself. Had his wife finally tamed him, they wondered.

Ignoring Henry's calls, Catherine slipped out of the ballroom as sure as she entered, without so much as a cursory glance back to her husband. Henry paused for a minute – confused about whether he should follow her out or not. If he let her slip away now, it would be forever. They had always found their way back to each other, but this time would be different. And he could not bear the thought of losing her forever. Even when she was charged with adultery and treason, he was sure she would fight her way back. She always did…but this time was different. She seemed defeated and lost…lost to him…possibly forever. Henry quickly hastened behind her, catching up to her in the hallway that led to her chambers.

Catherine's pace slowed down once she was out of sight and out of earshot of the ballroom. She closed her eyes and breathed a sigh, recalling the events of last night – the things she said... the things he didn't say.

"Catherine…Catherine…please…Catherine, please. Catherine, stop. Listen to me. Everyone is already talking about our behavior last night. Please don't create another scene in front of people. Let us go to your chambers, please. Just come with me." Henry clasped her hand, and gently pulled her toward her chambers.

Catherine resisted tenuously. "Henry, what are you doing? I do not want a repeat of last night. I am exhausted. It's all over, now."

As soon as they arrived inside her chambers, Henry let go of her hand, and turned around to close the door.

Though they hadn't been dismissed, Catherine's servants and guards were too scared and confused to dare enter the room while the King was there. He seemed gentler somehow, but King Henry had always been mercurial, and it was not wise to test him. So, they slowly backed away from the door, giving the King and Queen privacy.

The room was bathed in a warm glow from the many candles and the fire dancing in the fire place. Catherine walked over to the window – her back to Henry – hoping the dark night would hide the truth in her eyes. She thought to herself that the cold wind reflected the coldness of her heart. This was the same window she stood at with regret after she had rejected him recently. It had been the right decision – had she agreed, she would have only been another notch in his belt. Even so, she regretted losing the chance to be near him again. Not any more…she didn't feel remorse any more. Henry had once said she had a black heart – she agreed with him now. Her heart had hardened, blackened, and it may never be salvaged again.

Henry stood there, observing her for what seemed like an eternity. He walked toward her slowly, slightly unsure of himself. "Catherine, how long will you stand there silently? For God's sake please say something."

(Catherine) "What should I say, Henry? What should I say? You have a problem if I say something; you have a problem if I don't say something...I have already said all that I had to say. And after all that you didn't say, there is nothing left for me."

Catherine's voice was soft, softer than it had been in years.

(Henry) "No, Catherine, you misunderstand me. I want to talk you about something very important. I want to talk to you about you and me."

(Catherine) "Why don't you let it go, Henry? We've talked so much already. There's nothing left to say between us. Besides, you are going to say what you think is right. I…I really don't want to talk to you about this anymore. There was a time when we could have solved our differences together, when we could have mended our family together. But it's too late now; our problems have become too big now."

(Henry) "Catherine, I admit I made a mistake. What do you want? Do you want me to apologize? I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. At least, listen to what I have to say… please. You see, if I don't say what I want to today, I don't know when and how I'll get the chance to say it ever again."

Catherine grew tired of this constant back-and-forth between them. She just wanted to end this conversation, end this night. She was drained; she just wanted to be alone and rest. Catherine spun around to face her husband.

(Catherine) "What do you want to say, Henry? I don't want to hear anything you have to say," she said in an irked voice. "I am in no mood to listen to you. Besides, like I said, you are only going to say what you think is right, what you think is the truth. So what's the point of you and me talking about this?"

(Henry) "Catherine, you are not understanding…"

Catherine cut him off, "Then, help me understand, Henry. You are going to stubbornly adhere to your beliefs, and I am going to stubbornly adhere to mine. If we say something awful each other in the heat of this moment, things are only going to get worse between us. Why deal with that? It's better if we just don't speak to each other anymore."

Catherine turned away from Henry again, fearful that her true feelings may be betrayed. She was so good at maintaining her mask around everyone, but somehow Henry always seemed to disarm her. She did not want him to see the real her in this moment.

(Catherine) "Besides, I made a mistake by sharing my feelings with you. I shouldn't have done that. It would have been better if we spent our lives believing that our marriage is just a political compromise…our relationship is just a compromise…I don't know what came over me, I don't know how I could have been so insane to have shared everything I felt, everything in my heart with you." Catherine voice began to crack; she was still hurting; she was still in pain. "I only feel bad that our family, our children suffered because of the tension and conflict between us. None of this should have happened, Henry."

(Henry) "Will you keep speaking? Or will you allow me to say something?!"

Catherine spun back to face Henry, irritated that she was having this same argument again.

(Catherine) "What do you want to say, Henry? That I am wrong and you are right? Isn't that what you want to say?"

(Henry) "No! I don't want to talk about who was right and who was wrong. I want to talk about us, the real us!"

(Catherine) "What do you want to say about us?! What is left to say about us, Henry?! Or do you just want to repeat everything once again? The same old things? That our marriage was just a political marriage? It was just a compromise? That I came and disrupted your life? Disrupted your rule? That's what you're going to say, right? I don't want to hear all this! I understand now! I won't interfere in your personal life, or in your life at all for that matter. And if my standing here in front you makes you want to talk to me, then I'll leave!"

Catherine started to storm out of the room. Henry was not going to let her go again; he was not about to lose her forever. As she walked past him, Henry turned around, and pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately. No other women ignited such fire, such desire in him. Their last kiss may have momentarily rekindled their love, but it was all about business for Catherine, a calculation to save her life. But this time was different. He didn't want their lips to part; he didn't want to let her go. He could not remember the last time Catherine and him shared such a spark between them. It seemed as though time stood still, and Catherine forgot herself for a moment. She let herself get swept away by Henry and gave into him…but only for a moment. When she finally pulled herself out of Henry's arms, the drops of tears she had so desperately tried to hold back trickled down her face. Henry looked at her, confused and perplexed by the hurt he saw in her eyes.

Catherine pushed him away from her. "What are you doing, Henry?"

(Henry) "Quiet. No more talking. Now, you won't say anything. Only I will speak."

(Catherine) "So…so you only kissed me to get me to stop talking?"

He was baffled. What had he done wrong? What had he done to hurt her again?

(Catherine) "What are you trying to prove, Henry? That you are my husband and I am your wife, so you can do as you please with me?"

(Henry) "No, Catherine, I…"

(Catherine) "Please, Henry, just because I love you does not mean you have to love me back. I have accepted the reality that you don't love me." Catherine's voice began to falter, weakened by her pain and sorrow. "And trust me…I am completely fine with that. In any marriage, in any relationship, it's important for two hearts to become one. And if our hearts never meet, then none of this means anything."

(Henry) "No, Catherine, you misunderstand…"

(Catherine) "Please, I don't want any favors, any charity from you. Just because I am your wife and I love you, does not mean you have to play the part of husband and abide by your sense of duty. This is no longer part of your duty or your responsibility, Henry. I am no longer part of your duty or responsibility.

If you ever want to touch me again, Henry, don't do it simply because I am your wife in name. But rather, do it because you really, truly love me. And if you do not have feelings for me in your heart, then just leave it be…just leave it be."

Henry looked at her, confused how everything could have gone so wrong, how everything he did could have been so misconstrued. Why wasn't she listening to anything he was trying to say?! Catherine turned to leave again.

(Henry) "Catherine, stop!" He placed himself between her and the door.

(Henry) "Yes, it's true that I kissed you to get you to stop talking. What else could I do?! You weren't listening to a single word I said. You just kept talking and talking, without giving me a chance to say anything. When I try to say something, you aren't even willing to listen to me. What mistake did I make that has enraged you so? You are so consumed by anger that you can't seem to see or hear anything! Open your eyes, Catherine! Open your eyes and look at who is standing before you. The Henry before you today may not be the boy you married, but he is also not the same man you have battled for the last decade. Everything about me has changed since last night because of you! Within the last day, I have removed Diane and Kenna and every other woman in my life because of you! I have rediscovered my happiness because of you. I am willing to give my whole life up for you! I am willing to go to any length to make you happy! A forty-year-old, stubborn, arrogant king is willing to change his whole life around because of you! For God's sake, open your eyes. I have been restless all day because of you! I have been yearning to see you all day. I have been waiting to talk to you all day. I have been thinking about you all day. I wanted to come see you myself but my fear and my ego stopped me. Yes, you're right. I do have a big ego. And yes, I am scared! Yes, I'm afraid of you, of what I feel for you, of the relationship we share. How can I not be afraid? You are the only one that can truly break my heart. For the first time in my life, I feel so helpless. I can't understand what's happening to me. Obviously, I'm going to be scared! I'm afraid of rejection…I'm afraid of losing. I have only ever been victorious in my life, but now…now I'm afraid because you are someone I don't want to lose.

Last night, when you were talking to other men at the party, I could not stand it. I don't know why! I haven't been possessive about the women in my life, but with you…with you…I don't know why I am possessive with you. When I close my eyes, all I can see is your face. I DON'T KNOW WHY! When I open my eyes, all I want to see is your face. I DON'T KNOW WHY! Why is all this happening to me? Why now? I don't know! I swear I don't know! But everything has changed. I have changed! Why? For you…because of you…"

Catherine was stunned into silence. Henry was right – he wasn't the same anymore. But could she trust him again? Could she let herself be vulnerable again? She wouldn't be able to bear going through this again with Henry. It would be best for the two of them to lead separate lives – fewer complications, fewer hassles, and fewer heartbreaks. Catherine took a moment to look into Henry's eyes, and then she stepped past him toward the door.

This could not be happening. He had tried so hard, so earnestly. She couldn't just walk away from him. He couldn't just let her walk away. Henry turned around and fell to his knees, frantically trying to stop her.

(Henry) "Catherine, don't go, please! I won't be able to live without you. I LOVE YOU, CATHERINE!"

Catherine stopped in her tracks, half-turned to glance back at him, and proceeded to the door. Henry's head dropped in dejection...in defeat. At the door, Catherine secured the lock and turned back around to her husband.

AN: God I love these two characters! I keep picturing Megan Follows and Alan Van Sprang in little sequences together, so I'm going to try and write as much of it down as possible. Some of it will be present time, and some of it will be the early days of their marriage. Please let me know if you guys want any particular scenario to play out!

LinaOso, Thank you for your review! Your stories inspired me to put this up. I am such a huge fan of yours!

Catherine Woods, Thank you so much for your support. So glad you liked!