She had the most beautiful back, so smooth and delicately covered in freckles. The elegant curve between her shoulder blades, the silky line down her spine, if he ran his finger along it she would shiver against him. Gently he placed a kiss at the base of her neck and was greeted with her muffled response.
Clarisse lay on her stomach, face pressed into her pillow, her arms splayed out above her head. Joseph was teasing her, she could feel his mouth on her skin, feel his hands on her hips and then trailing his fingers up to her waist. She shivered in response and stifled a giggle. The fact she was waking up with him both terrified and excited her. They were together, after all this time they were together.
She remained still, kept her eyes closed and enjoyed his attentions. His hand trailed down her thigh, then to her ankle, down her foot. He kissed her sole and she twisted in his hand.
"That tickles."
"Good, anything else I can do for you madam?" He joked holding her foot in his hand and massaging it.
"Actually, that feels rather good." She twisted her head and glanced towards him, knelt at her feet. "Goodness you look..."
He smiled, partly embarrassed, mostly pleased by her admiring glances.
"Happy, I look happy." He bit her toe playfully and she squirmed in his grasp laughing.
"Crazy, you're crazy."
"Mmm."
She wiggled free from his grasp and turned onto her back, no longer worried about having him glance over at her naked body. The qualms were gone, with him she felt truly beautiful.
"It's getting late." She stated.
"It is."
"Ohh dear." She rubbed her neck. "Being lazy and lying here all day has done nothing for my back." She complained.
"Would you like a massage?"
She smiled playfully, resting her foot on his chest. "I would like a massage."
"Alright. Turn over then."
She laughed. "No!" Teasing she sat up and leaned towards him. "That's not exactly what I meant."
"Ah, and what did you mean?"
"You know exactly…" She traced a line across his bottom lip and was leaning in to kiss him when there was a loud thumping noise outside.
Joseph cursed himself for allowing his desires to take over all rational thought. He pulled on his trousers and grabbed his gun.
"Joseph!" Clarisse exclaimed pulling a blanket around her.
"Stay here, don't move."
"But…"
"Stay!" He demanded rushing outside into the snow.
Clarisse stood behind the lounge door listening for any sudden movements. After what seemed an eternity Joseph returned to the room replacing his gun on the table and shaking the snow from his boots.
"What is it?" She asked watching him move over to the telephone.
"The snow is melting." He said solemnly. "Huge chunk just fell from the room, hence the noise." He picked the receiver up and slowly lifted it to his ear then replaced it. "Still dead."
She felt the breath she'd been holding leave her throat in a rush and, deflated, she sank into a chair wrapping the blanket around her.
Joseph sat on the sofa staring at her. That bright smile and those sparkly eyes that had greeted him a few moments ago had quickly disappeared.
"Reality making a break through." She said fiddling with the edging on the blanket.
"It seems so."
"How long do you think we have?"
"Today, tonight, that is if you agree we should sit tight and wait to be found rather than attempt to walk again."
She nodded. "I agree, we wait."
He sighed and leant back rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"We should be careful." She stated.
"I know. You could sleep in the bedroom tonight…"
"No, I want to be with you, even if we're only in the same room." She held her hand out to him and he reached across and took it feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.
"It seems I've waited forever for this and now it's over far too quickly." He tried to smile at her.
She lifted his hand and kissed his fingers. "Still tonight, and then… you must understand."
He cut her off. "I know, I know what must be."
"It doesn't mean I don't care."
"Or that I don't you."
She rose from her seat and quickly slipped down onto his lap. "You'll always have my heart." She whispered.
"And you mine."
They were found the following morning, a mere four days after the midnight disappearance, it seemed forever had passed. Joseph heard the helicopter pass overhead and looked down into her eyes. Instantly tears threatened and a dull ache settled in her chest.
They had just made love, her legs were still wrapped around him, her hands still gripped his shoulders. He made a mental note, remembering each nuance of information; the scent of her skin, the softness of her mouth, the feel of her body pressed against his. Reluctantly he loosened his hold on her but she held his face with her hands and kissed him full on the mouth.
After a few brief seconds of bliss the kiss ended and they disentangled their bodies. Before she'd even had time to locate her clothes Joseph was dressed and as presentable as ever. He took one last glance at her then went outside to wave the helicopter down. A lock falling into place over his heart.
Clarisse quickly folded the blankets from the floor and laid them on the couch along with the cushions. Gathering the quilt that had provided such a soft backrest for them she retreated upstairs. She quickly showered and dressed in clothes that belonged to somebody else, desperately trying not to dwell on the events of the past few days. If she thought about it all it would hurt too much and right now she needed to find her Queenly demeanour all over again. She washed away Joseph's scent and touch, she wanted to cry but the tears wouldn't fall, this was more than a simple heartache. The realisation hit her that they would never touch again. They were going back to reality, back to normality.
She was hardly aware of the events that followed, it seemed a lifeless blur. She was hurried to the helicopter along with Joseph and people were left behind to deal with the cottage. The owners would be contacted and informed, plans formulated within seconds. They didn't speak to one another, not really, it was far too dangerous… besides, what else could she possiblysay?
Her homecoming was less than grand; she felt no rush of joy at the sight of her beloved Palace. The snow had almost melted there, the weather and the world was changing. She could see Joseph from the corner of her eye but was keenly aware of the other two men in the helicopter. She recognised neither. He avoided her gaze the entire journey but when they landed she alone noticed the faltering in his breathing. She longed to reach for his hands that were solemnly folded in his lap, but somehow she found the strength to hold back.
"Thank you." She said gently.
He only nodded in response.
Rupert greeted her in the grounds, gripped her shoulders and pressed her to him. She found herself melting against him, her head fell to his shoulder and she clung onto him seeking comfort and security in his embrace. It wasn't like her to show such open emotion in public and Rupert had to ease her inside and to their private rooms. He insisted a Doctor look her over immediately but she whole-heartedly refused, she couldn't bear for somebody else to touch her so soon. Instead she convinced her husband all she needed was a long hot bath and bed. He didn't argue, Clarisse wasn't a woman to argue with.
Joseph was called to the King's office mid-afternoon; report in hand he entered the grand room feeling nothing short of drained – both emotionally and physically.
"Joseph, it's good to see you." Rupert said meeting him halfway between the desk and the door. He took Joe's hand andshook it, gripping his wrist as he did so.
Joseph looked around, for the first time in his memory they were alone. "Your majesty." He said gently.
"Thank you, thank you…" the older man said honestly. "Clarisse hasn't said much only that if it wasn't for your skill and quick thinking, well, I dread to think…"
Joseph could only nod, guilt sweeping over him as he registered the exhausted dishevelled man in front of him. The King was always on form; always top of his game, at that precise moment he just looked like an old lonely man.
"Sit down, things to discuss."
Joseph took the offered seat and placed the folder on the desk. "My report."
"Thank you; what I wanted to say is you will of course be taking some time off."
"Excuse me."
"I mean, as a thank you, anywhere in the world, you choose and I will have it arranged."
"It was my job Sir."
"Clarisse would never forgive me if I didn't repay you my good man."
Joseph almost choked on his breath but caught himself and instead nodded. "I will think it over Sir."
"Good, good, myself and Clarisse will be going away for a while too, she deserves a break, to recuperate, a difficult year with one thing and another." He shook his head as if distracted. "But anyway, what I wanted to say is when you return I want you to assume the role as head of security."
"Excuse me?"
"The job is yours, Richard is retiring, you are the obvious choice. And allow me to say how pleased am I that you are here to take the position, we need somebody competent in this day and age."
"Thank you…" Joseph mumbled.
"There is of course more to discuss on the issue and I believe you're to be interviewed about events but that can wait… you're exhausted, you must rest." He stood and Joseph followed him to the door.
"Again Joseph, I am incredibly grateful for the safe return of my wife." He shook his hand again.
Joseph dipped his head. "How is her majesty Sir, if you don't mind me enquiring."
"Slept for most of the day, I believe she said she would visit the chapel before dinner however. Seems to be holding up, made of stronger stuff…"
"Indeed."
Joseph left without another word heading directly for the chapel, he used the back stairs avoiding cameras or questioning glances.
He slipped inside unnoticed, it was mostly dark, a few candles burnt. He thought he must have missed her and was about to leave when he spotted her knelt on the floor, head bent.
He instantly stepped towards her needing to hold her hand just once and say what he should have said that morning but as he moved he heard her begin to speak.
"Lord, father, please, please give me the strength to get through this…" Her voice faltered and she struggled for a few seconds to regain her composure. "Whatever has passed help me forget, help me move forward…" She stopped again and Joseph distinctly heard her sob.
He stayed to hear no more, the most humane thing he could do now was to step back, to give her the space she needed to carry on in her role. He only hoped God would offer him the same graces he did his beloved Clarisse.