A/N OK, this is pitifully short, but I think it works quite well as a linking chapter. Not sure when the next bit will be up…most probably Thursday/Friday, and, I promise, it will be much loooonger. Review if so inclined ;o)

As she stood there calmly waiting for his reply, it dawned on Joe just how much he was asking, just quite how much he had suggested. And, by her sudden arrival here in the stables, just how much she was risking. Had he really just told a woman he had only met two months ago, that he had kissed for the first time the night before, that he loved her? Was he completely mad? He smiled inwardly…quite probably. Though most definitely madly in love. God, how his wife would have laughed at the change in him. Clarisse shifted casually from one foot to the other, endearingly aware of his scrutiny. Again, he felt warm inside…yes, Elizabeth would most definitely have approved.

When he didn't respond immediately, Clarisse smiled, a little nervously, he thought, and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Stepping forward slightly, she leant against the closed half-door of the box, looking down at the straw, at the water bucket…anything but him. Suddenly, in spite of his earlier declaration, she wondered if she'd not gone too far, coming down here like this. Wondered if perhaps he realised he'd gone too far…

He coughed, clearly his throat of the dusty air,

"Well…yes…I…I had hoped you…"

His voice was husky, and immediately she looked straight at him. Again, he tried to get the words out,

"…hmm….and, well, one of the gardeners had told me the other day how much you…"

He paused again, his eyes now fixed, fixated almost, by hers. He ran a hand quickly over his head, "…oh for Christ's sake, what am I trying to say?" and then in one long stride was at the door himself, just in time to register her look of surprise at his obvious lack of composure.

As his rough hand swept smoothly along her jaw and up to cradle the back of her head, stroking her hair, their lips met in an almost desperate kiss. Gone was the tentative teasing of last night… As Clarisse felt her knees begin to buckle, his strong arm reached around her shoulders and held her to him.

"Oh my darling, I'm so sorry…" his voice was husky and she gently stroked his cheek, her breathing still shaky. "I didn't think…I should have thought."

As he pressed his forehead lightly against hers, she closed her eyes for a moment, drawing strength from his proximity. She knew her eyes were threatening to tear up, but she wanted to hold it together long enough to get this out properly,

"I should have trusted you…"

He pulled back and caressed her cheek with his thumb, carefully wiping away the tears. Her eyes were closed, but she continued speaking,

"I was too quick to doubt your intentions…too quick to see what I was afraid of."

He smiled, and traced his finger across her lips, silencing her. As she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see him staring straight at her.

"I think we both got it wrong, don't you?"

She smiled weakly, and nodded, her eyes sliding shut for a moment as she did so.

"Clarisse, can we try again?"

Opening her eyes, not caring anymore that the remaining tears were gliding down her cheeks, she smiled, more certain this time. Feeling his arms again tighten around her shoulders, she bent forward slightly and kissed his cheek.

"Absolutely, definitely, categorically"

He smiled…hell, if nothing else she'd certainly improve his vocabulary…and teased her nose with his.

"So, my lovely pristine-suited darling, are you coming in here or am I coming out?"

She stepped back a little and surveyed him carefully, unashamedly sizing him up,

"Well, Joseph you, um, do rather smell, now I come to think of it…"

He chuckled, faking an expression of mock-offence, and promptly slid open the door separating them, and wrapped his arms firmly around her waist, pulling her deliciously close.

"Well then, young lady, for your impudence, in it is…"