So thanks to some special prompting from some of the FB fans (yes, you know who you are LOL), I finished chapter 10 of 24 Hours today. It's not quite as long as some of the other chapters, but it's setting up some important developments that are coming next.

The only warning for this chapter is that there's a little angst in here (oh, come now - you KNEW it had to happen sooner or later lol)

Thanks again not only for your patience but the wonderful support you continue to show me here, on Facebook and Twitter - I adore my readers and hope to get to know you even better in 2013!

Happy New Year Everyone!

*hugs*

Kayla

(Nicole Leiren)

Chapter 10: Three Words

9:00 p.m.

Joseph watched as Clarisse emerged from the bathroom, her face flushed and a radiant glow covering her body. "I must be the luckiest man alive."

Clarisse crawled in to bed and snuggled against his warm frame, her fingers threaded through the sparse hair on the muscular plane of his chest, "I'm feeling very fortunate tonight as well. Tonight has been a rare gift of uninterrupted alone time."

"That is rare. You think Genovia is still standing?" He teased.

"Not funny, Joseph!" Clarisse admonished.

"You're right, I'm sorry. My guess is that it's the calm before the storm known as Princess Mia arrives."

"She is quite a…handful, isn't she?" Her voice sounded tired.

His hand caressed the skin on her back, "It takes a strong personality to run a country. When her time comes, she will be ready. She has a good teacher."

"It's not her personality that bothers me," Clarisse confessed, ignoring Joseph's compliment. "She doesn't exercise discretion and good judgment when making decisions – especially when it comes to her own personal actions."

"She's nineteen, dear. I don't know a lot of kids her age who DO make mature decisions and exercise discretion. At nineteen, I was in a rock band." He teased.

Clarisse sat up, her expression marred with frustration, "You weren't next in line for the Crown of Genovia, Joseph."

He bristled slightly at her tone, "It doesn't change the fact that she is only nineteen. Age doesn't discriminate based on blood line."

She moved away slightly, angry more at herself than him…for not being able to make him understand. "Destiny demands more from her."

Joseph watched as she grew tense and, he believed, more irrational with each comment. It was unlike her to be…well condescending. He didn't understand it and was afraid if he continued to stay there, he would say something he might regret. He slipped out of the bed and pulled on his boxers, "Destiny demands of me that I be willing to give my life to protect others. I feel that is a very lofty demand, Your Majesty."

Realizing how her words had been interpreted, Clarisse softened. "Joseph, that's not what I meant…please don't go. I'm sorry."

Making his way to her side of the bed, he pulled her into a searing kiss trying to share with her physically what he couldn't admit verbally. He pulled away and cupped her cheek with his hand, "There is no need to apologize. I am not ashamed of who I am or of the destiny that has been thrust upon me no more than you can change either your or Mia's destiny. We both need some rest. Mia is due to arrive tomorrow."

She watched him leave, unable to comprehend how things went downhill so quickly. Her words had hurt him…unintentionally, but as she thought about them, she understood why he reacted as he did. Regardless of what he believed, Mia didn't have the luxury of being a typical nineteen year old girl. In two short years, she would assume responsibility for a country. People would depend on her to ensure their safety and economic livelihood. Joseph may be responsible for one life, but she and Mia were responsible for thousands. Mia had already been given a childhood and most of her high school years without the burden of duty weighing her down. It was a rare gift that most royals never experienced.

Clarisse shuddered as she remembered how she had been taught the lesson of how her actions affected others. She pushed that memory down deep – it was history; a difficult and painful lesson that had only taken once to sink in.

Tucking the covers tightly around her, she tried to sleep. Amelia would arrive tomorrow and Clarisse needed to be prepared.

^^C/J^^

8:00 a.m.

"Good morning, Your Majestsy."

"Good morning, Joseph. Sleep well?" She decided she might as well test the waters right away to assess the damage she had done to their fragile relationship.

Joseph's eyes quickly surveyed the area to make sure no one was within earshot, "Not as well as I had hoped. My cuddle partner wasn't around."

Clarisse's eyes followed the same path as his before she responded, "One day, very soon, I'd like to wake up in your arms."

"Even if my blood isn't royal and I was in a rock band at age nineteen," he teased.

"My blood isn't royal either," she pointed out.

He pulled her into a quick embrace, his hands sliding south and pressing her lower body into his. Her arms went instinctively around his neck. "You make a very good point. After more thought about last night, you made some very good points then too. I'm not saying I agree, but I understand your position."

Clarisse let out a small sigh of relief, "So you forgive me?"

"No."

She pulled back enough to look him in the eyes, "Joseph?"

"I told you last night, nothing to forgive. And," he released her and gently swatted her backside, "Despite your comments last night, I'm still willing to take a bullet for you."

"I'll settle for you helping Amelia with her dance lessons," her eyes sparkled as she knew how much that was asking.

"Can't I just take a bullet?"

She laughed, "Not a chance! I want you around for many years to come."

"I will require hazard pay for such a dangerous task." He claimed as he extended his arm to escort her to where Parliament was waiting and would begin session in a few minutes.

Before she stepped into the room filled with snakes known as the members of Parliament, she leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "I'm sure I can think of…something."

12:00 p.m.

"Gramma! I missed you and Joseph. Oh and Charlotte too. OK and Shades…even Lionel."

Clarisse smiled at the exuberance of her granddaughter. After a three hour session with Parliament, she was feeling less than…exuberant. She pulled Amelia into a quick hug, "I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we missed you too."

"When is lunch? I'm starving!"

"Thirty minutes, dear, so you must hurry and change. Sebastian and Sheila will be joining us for lunch in the main dining room."

Mia's face fell. She had been hoping for a private lunch with her grandmother so she could fill her in on everything that had been going on at college and catch up on the latest palace gossip…though she would probably have to hit Lionel up for that as neither her Gramma nor Charlotte ever had any good scoop. "Oh…I really wanted to just eat with you."

Clarisse knew they didn't have time to discuss this right now. Parliament had devoted a great deal of their earlier session complaining about Amelia's lack of time in Genovia, her knowledge about all things Genovian, and her general unpreparedness for the task of ruling their country. "I wish it could be that way too, Amelia, but please hurry…you must change and don't be late."

Mia gestured towards her outfit, "What's wrong with what I have on?"

"Amelia, honestly. Now go change!"

Clarisse shook her head as Mia stormed off, mumbling something that she was certain she didn't want to hear.

"Off to a great start, I see." Joseph mused quietly as he walked up behind her.

"Don't start, Joseph. Parliament was worse than usual today and the main subject of conversation was their concern over Amelia's readiness to serve as Queen."

"She still has two years."

Clarisse looked at him in disbelief, "At the rate we're going, we'll need twenty. Now, please, l need to freshen up and then be in the dining hall in twenty minutes."

Joseph saw the worry lines marring her beautiful face and worried she was letting Parliament dictate her moves – that was never a positive sign. Maybe she didn't believe Amelia would be ready either. If that were the case, things were only going to go from bad to worse this visit…

7:00 p.m.

"You are being totally unfair, Grandma!" Mia shouted as they got out of the car and made their way into the palace.

"Amelia, lower your voice, so we can discuss this like two adults."

Joseph hated when he was right. Mia had been shuffled from one meeting or lesson to another basically from the moment she arrived and being informed that her evening tea would consist of Charlotte reviewing the full schedule for tomorrow, including a meeting with the Genovian historian to cover important lessons that every Queen would be expected to know. Joseph was definitely on Amelia's side this time as she hadn't been given one free moment since she stepped inside the palace doors.

Once safely inside the palace walls, Mia turned and squared off against Clarisse, "I am not going tomorrow nor am I spending my tea reviewing my schedule. I'm tired. I want to sleep. I'd like a few moments to myself!"

"Amelia Mignonette! You will do all that is asked of you. I don't think you understand what's at stake!"

"I won't!" And with that, Mia stormed off.

Clarisse started after her, but a hand on her lower back stopped her. She spun around, her fury resting fully on Joseph, "What?!"

"Give her some time to catch her breath. After she gets some rest, she'll be more reasonable." He spoke softly, trying to appeal to the grandmother hiding behind the queen.

"And if she doesn't?" Clarisse demanded.

"Shall I cane her then, Your Majesty?" Joseph teased with a twinkle in his eye.

Clarisse visibly paled then turned and hastened out of the room. Joseph cast a look at Charlotte, "What the hell was that all about?"

Uncharacteristically, Charlotte ran her fingers through her blonde tresses. "I don't know, Joseph, but you have to fix this…whatever IT is."

"And you think I'm an expert in relationships? You overestimate my abilities, Charlotte." Joseph wished he had hair to run his fingers through.

Charlotte stepped closer, "I think you are an expert in dealing with our boss. You handle her and I'll do damage control with the Princess."

"Ever wonder if Genovia appreciates all you and I do to keep the monarchy running efficiently?" Joseph teased.

"They have NO idea, Joseph…no idea. Good luck."

"You too."

Joseph took his time walking to her suite. She was so hard to read when her emotions turned tormented…and that's what he had seen. His teasing remark had caused something to surface, something decidedly unhappy.

^^C/J^^

He knocked quietly on the door to her suite, but there was no answer. Turning the knob, he stepped inside. The room was dark. "Your Majesty?"

No answer.

"Clarisse?"

Nothing.

Wanting to rule out that she wasn't just ignoring him before he launched an all-out search, he stepped quietly towards her bedroom. The door was cracked slightly, so he moved it another inch or so in order to peer inside. Clarisse was standing, gazing out of the window…a million miles away.

"Should I come back later?" He asked quietly.

"That depends on what you want."

"To apologize…for upsetting you." Truthfully, he wasn't sure what had upset her, but figured this was as good a place as any to start.

There was a significant pause before she responded, "No one seems to understand what's at stake. I'm upset with myself for being unable to convey the urgency and seriousness of this matter to Amelia…to you…to everyone."

Parliament. It was the only explanation for the additional pressure Clarisse was putting on herself and on Amelia.

"Despite what you may believe, I do understand. But, Clarisse…"

She turned towards him, the look on her face still registering torment, "What?"

"Don't you think you are being a tad unreasonable with Mia? Surely even you had times when the urge to be free to act as you please." He was treading on dangerous ground, but he had no idea how to reach her.

After several long minutes of just staring into his eyes, she turned away again. "Only once…and it was very brief. A lesson painfully learned."

Remembering her face when he teased about the caning earlier, the color drained from his face. Surely not… "Do you want to tell me about it?" He stepped a little closer, shutting the door behind him.

"Do you love me, Joseph?"

Her question took him by surprise. He wasn't sure how to answer. He did love her…of that fact he was certain. But a painful lesson from his past kept him from voicing the words outloud to her. "I beg your pardon?"

When she turned this time, anger was barely contained on her expression. "Did I not ask the question clearly? Do. You. Love. Me?"

"Clarisse…you know how I feel about you." It was kind of an answer…

"Just so I understand, you ask of me to share all the secrets hidden deep in my past…words that have the potential to destroy me if they were ever revealed to the wrong people. Yet, you won't give me the courtesy of three small words?" The anger had morphed into disbelief.

"I want to…" his words faltered. How could he make her understand?

"You want to…but what?"

"I can't."

Tears threatened, but she held her composure. "Then until you can give those three words to me, I fear we have no more secrets or history of which to speak. I'll see you in the morning." She turned to gaze back out at the window.

"Clarisse…" her name slipped out as an anguished cry. Not only had he failed to fix the situation between she and Mia, but he was dangerously close to breaking the fragile personal relationship they had established.

"Good night, Joseph. Please see yourself out."

He nodded and turned towards the door. Before leaving completely, he added quietly. "I do have three words for you, Clarisse…"

Her shoulders tensed as her breath held, but she didn't turn towards him.

"This. Isn't. Over."

9:45 pm

tbc