Disclaimer: I neither own Reign, nor profit from this story.

Catherine had planted herself at the desk in her study and was becoming more and more frustrated. How she could possibly have let her work pile up this much Catherine simply could not fathom.

She never let it get this out of hand.

Francis and Mary were likely to be returning by the end of the month if their correspondences were to be believed. They had enjoyed their time away, but Spain was not home, and the rest of the children had expressed their desire to their own home in France. Certainly understandable considering the amount of time they had been away.

All of the children had taken on the extra time away from their home and their parents with maturity beyond their ages, but little hearts could only take so much and it was time.

She had begun to put together some tentative plans to welcome them back which could be put into place whenever they actually did return, but the papers seemed to be multiplying, not diminishing, and papers that should have been there were not.

Then just this morning, an order that she had supposedly put in for this afternoon was being made ready for delivery…but there was no occasion and she was certain she had not made the order.

"Your Majesty," came a timid voice from the door. Perfect the tenor of her mood had even put her own personal staff on edge.

"Yes, what is it?" she replied. She tried not to sound irritated, she really did, but she just could not muster it, not today.

"Ladies Lola and Greer are here for an afternoon tea."

Slamming the papers down, she had just about had enough. What on earth was that girl talking about? She had nothing scheduled with Mary's ladies, why would she have anything scheduled with Mary's ladies while the young Queen was away and therefore taking no part in day to day activities of the Castle?

For the love of all things good the girl was still gone! And with her plans to return still somewhat fluid there was no reason she might even have that would prompt her to meet with her Ladies.

She was about to go out there and tell them as much when she remembered the order she had ended up canceling this morning. Could she possibly have…

No, she had never been so scatterbrained as to forget an entire engagement, not since she was last with child. Then again there had been quite a bit for her to catch up on, she supposed it was possible that she could have lost track of her appointments.

Well no matter. She was certain that she could recall the dismissed servants as even if they had dispersed the food by now it would not take long to put something else together that would at least pass as suitable.

Calling the one remaining servant over to see it done, she put on her best hostess face and walked out to her sitting room.

Onward, she thought…another day, another tea, another, another, another…

Wouldn't it be nice for Henry to make one of his surprise visits right about now?

Ahh well, at least Kenna wouldn't be annoying her today as she was still well away with Mary and Francis in Spain.

Annoying twit that she was.

That was perhaps a bit of an overstatement as related to more recent events, but Catherine had a long memory and the girl had annoyed her enough for a lifetime.

Rising to meet her guests she decided that at the very least this was a more pleasant diversion than her paperwork, and that there were worse ways to pass an afternoon. These at least seemed to be the more reasonable of Mary's ladies.

Though there were also better ways to…hmmm, perhaps she did need a break from the monotony of her paperwork.

Right, guests…go.

-/-/-/-/-

Catherine walked in to Henry pouring wax in a Nobleman's ear, "Henry…Henry! What are you doing?!"

One of her ladies had come to get her because she thought Henry was getting a little out of hand but this was ridiculous!

"Teaching the Marqui a lesson." Snapping his wrist abruptly to stop the flow of wax and turning to face her Catherine couldn't believe how unconcerned he was about the ramifications of his actions.

"Not like this, he's a Nobleman!"

"Release him," he finally ordered.

Setting the candle down and turning to face her, he seemed to be pondering his words before speaking. "Why is it today that everyone keeps telling me about what I can can and can't do? If we were in our bedchambers, would you be telling me how I could or couldn't…"

"Henry stop it! You are not thinking clearly…and if you are you should consider the possible ramifications of such a statement come this evening's hours."

Marching over to her he raised his hand as if to grab her arm, but stopped. Instead he addressed the Nobleman and his guards at the same time, "you may go now."

She needed to turn this around, and now.

Taking his hand she gently uncurled his fingers until his palm was fully open and guided it to her waist. Stepping into his personal space she took his other hand just as gently and placed it around her other side. Finally taking both of her hands she cupped his cheeks and brought his forehead to touch hers.

"Henry come back to me. Your mind has traveled far and I need you return."

It took him several breaths for Henry to calm enough to do as she asked. Closing his eyes his breaths became heavy before he crushed her into a hug.

Her hands moved around his waist to return the embrace.

Allowing the moment to provide them both with some much needed stability Catherine waited several more breaths before posing an inquiry.

"Henry, what really has you upset?"

Burying his face in her neck he took a moment to collect himself before answering. "I am King, and command the Nobles and our armies. If the Nobles do not listen to me, how can I expect to lead the country, to keep it thriving if those under me cannot even take care of their own lands?

Pulling back and cupping his face once again, she looked into his eyes and made sure that he was looking right back.

"I am sure you will think of something husband, and in the mean time, I will think as well." Running her thumb along his cheek she finished. "We will figure this out, and make sure that you look all the stronger for it husband. Trust in me, trust in yourself. You are a good King, believe in that."

"Some days Cara the burden is just…"

"I know Henry, I know. Share your burden Caro, share it with me and let me be a shelter from your distress."

After a moment of searching each other's gaze, they kissed, each speaking through the embrace what they couldn't in words.

It was a guard sent in to retrieve the King that finally broke the two apart. Knowing better than to stick around for long they were soon left alone, only to be thrust back into the demands of politics and matters of state.

Rising on the balls of her feet to give him a parting kiss Catherine urged them both back in motion with four simple words, "until later my King".

-/-/-/-/-

Lola had her suspicions for a few weeks now, but this last incident just confirmed what she had been seeing.

Catherine had done a good job of keeping the rumors from spreading throughout the Castle to a minimum, but Mary had developed enough of a network amongst the servants that Lola had been given almost a full account of Henry's actions in his study.

Her actions from earlier that day for their afternoon tea had also added to Lola's concerns.

Catherine was of course a very gracious host, but her servants had been on edge as soon as they entered and she could hear Catherine yelling from the other side of the door.

From what little she could make out it seemed that the Queen was not prepared to receive them.

Had she forgotten that they were to meet?

It was highly unlike Catherine and this only compounded her concerns.

She made sure to confirm what she had been seeing with Greer before going ahead and writing Mary, but once her dear friend agreed she made sure to send word right away. After the plague and all of its ramifications, they were not due to return from Spain until at least the end of the month, but it seemed that this would not wait.

Her letter was brief and to the point. She felt it unnecessary to take the time to include the complementary flourishes that she normally would have added to the text.

When the survival of a country, or really two, was in question there was no time for formality or meaningless pretense.

Sending it with one of Mary's most trusted messengers and a small contingent of guards, she prayed that they would get there swiftly and that the response would be timely.

It was all she could do from here, and for now. She just hoped it would be enough.