Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful reviews! My real job has been all consuming over the past week or so, causing the delay in getting this chapter out. As always, though, I hope you feel it was worth the wait! Please be sure to read the author's note at the end, though...!

Chapter 10: To hidden moments…

Scene: Two days after the Independence Day Ball – Clarisse and Joseph are preparing to head home to Genovia.

Joseph watched from a respectable distance as Clarisse and Mia said their goodbyes. Clarisse had earlier confided in Joseph how sad she was that she had to say good-bye to Mia.

"It seems as though I've only truly just gotten to know her, Joseph."

"She will be coming for a visit this summer."

Clarisse sighed. "I know. I also know it will go by quickly; but I've grown accustomed to seeing her every day. She has brought such joy and pride…"

Joseph couldn't help but add, "…and a little drama."

Clarisse nodded and laughed. "Yes, a little of that too. As I recall, though, drama is inherent with teenagers."

Thinking back to the time that both Pierre and Philippe were in the Palace, Joseph nodded his head. "Indeed."

**

"I wish I could come with you, Gramma." Mia offered, tears forming in her eyes.

"You will come visit soon." Clarisse tried to keep her tears from spilling over as well. "Besides, you could probably use a break from Princess lessons."

Her grandmother's attempt at humor helped and Mia admitted. "Well, you may have a point there."

"I cannot wait, however, to show you the beautiful country of Genovia. From the small city charm of Pyrus to the rolling countryside to the mountains of LIbet where the winter palace resides."

"There is more than one palace? How cool is that?!"

Clarisse smiled. "Very cool indeed."

They embraced one last time before Mia came over to Joseph. She hugged him with an intensity that surprised him. "Thank you, Joe…for everything – especially for coming to my rescue and whisking me away to the ball."

Joseph thought of what had been personally at stake for him as well as his country that night. "I always enjoy being the knight in shining armor." He cast a smile in Clarisse's direction.

Clarisse blushed slightly as she thought about the evening they had shared and how often he had been the knight that came to her rescue. "He is the best in the business." Clarisse added.

"Well I'm glad his main priority is taking care of you, Gramma." Mia added.

Mia watched with interest as her grandmother smiled softly and her eyes sparkled as they reflected the deepening connection she had with Joseph. "He is pretty good at that too."

Mia quietly added. "I bet…" but she noticed that neither of her elders seemed to notice she was still there. She watched them for a moment as their sapphire eyes seemed to convey so much. She wondered how close they truly were. She realized she didn't really know very much about her grandmother and the life that she had led up the moment they met just a short time ago. She knew very little about her grandfather, King Rupert and the relationship they had shared. Perhaps she could get some more information from Charlotte during her next visit.

Final hugs were exchanged. Everyone else had already boarded Genovia I and had taken off from the private air strip. Mia stood and continued to wave until the door closed behind Joseph as he followed Clarisse up the stairs to Genovia I.

Once inside, Clarisse took her seat in the private compartment, accompanied by Joseph. "Once we take off, I will give you some privacy." Joseph offered.

She touched his arm gently with well-manicured nails. His eyes were drawn to her hand. Joseph remembered his grandmother telling him that you could tell a lot about a woman by looking at her hands. Clarisse's were delicate, yet strong; smooth, yet aged; beautiful, yet practical. It spoke of the contrasts that made Clarisse the wonderful Queen that she was. Her quiet statement brought his eyes to hers. "I'd like you to stay with me…if you will."

His hand covered hers. "Of course."

Moments later they felt the engines gaining power under them as Genovia I began to taxi out to the take-off point on the runway. Clarisse allowed herself one final look and wave out the window to the fading form of her granddaughter. Unshed tears brimmed in her eyes as she turned back to face forward. Joseph squeezed her hand one final time and whispered. "You'll see her again soon."

Clarisse simply nodded and continued to stare forward. She felt Joseph remove his hand and knew she had to do the same as the flight attendant would be coming through shortly to make sure everything was in order for takeoff. Moments later, pre-flight checks were complete and Genovia I began the journey home.

Once airborne, Joseph looked at Clarisse. "Would you care for anything to drink right now, Clarisse?"

"No, thank you. I am going to try to rest some as I'm sure there will be much to do when we get home."

Joseph thought about her hands…strong, practical, and not as young as they used to be. The last year or so had definitely taken its toll on her. She remained strong in the face of great challenges; her reign guided by practicality…what was best for the people. It had been the only way she could survive such personal tragedy and still hold it all together. He let his hand graze over hers gently before replying. "I'll let the flight attendant know so you won't be disturbed."

"Thank you, Joseph. You truly are my knight in shining armor." She smiled at him before reclining her seat and extending the leg rest.

Joseph checked in with the flight attendant and the rest of the crew and passengers. He advised that the Queen was resting and should not be disturbed. About fifteen minutes later, he closed the door behind him to the private area. He stood and stared for a moment at Clarisse's sleeping form. There was a look of utter tranquility on her face as her dreams took her far away from the duty and responsibility that plagued her waking hours. He wanted to kiss her; but feared waking her. So instead he sat in the seat to her and leaned his chair back, closed his eyes and remembered the night he did get to kiss her…

Clarisse emerged from her bedroom in pale blue silk pajamas. Joseph was grateful that he had removed his jacket and tie and even loosened the top couple buttons on his shirt. Otherwise, he would have felt grossly overdressed for the occasion. The hairpiece had been removed and she had finger combed her hair. The overall affect was utterly feminine.

Clarisse fought to keep her composure as she took in Joseph's appearance. The jacket had been tossed over the back of the couch along with his bow tie, the top several buttons of his starch white shirt had been undone, revealing a glimpse of white hair and bronzed skin. The tailored shirt and pants highlighted his lean, muscular frame. The overall affect was strikingly handsome.

Joseph found his voice first as he needed a distraction to avoid his eyes being drawn to areas of his Queen and friend that would be less than appropriate, even considering their new found romance. In time, though, he hoped to enjoy a thorough view of the woman who was capturing his heart and enveloping his senses. "Champagne?" He asked as he offered her a glass.

Clarisse took the glass from him, her fingers caressing his before she pulled away. "Yes, thank you. What shall we toast to?"

"We could toast to the continued prosperity of Genovia and the Renaldi rule." Joseph offered.

"Yes, I suppose that would be very appropriate…"

Joseph held the champagne glass in his left hand and with his right cupped her cheek, relishing the softness that he held there. "Or…" he said in a soft, husky voice. "We could toast to finding hidden moments…just for the two of us."

The fine crystal clinked delicately in the quiet of the room. "To hidden moments…" Clarisse offered.

"To hidden moments…" Joseph echoed.

They sipped the champagne before moving to sit on the couch. Clarisse let Joseph put his arm around her and she snuggled in close, her feet and legs tucked up next to her on the couch. Soft strains of music filled the room while they listened in contented silence, enjoying the simple luxury of holding each other.

Clarisse hated to - but duty compelled her to…the spell was broken with the words they both knew needed to be said, but neither truly wanted to hear. "We should talk about what will happen when we get home."

Joseph knew they should. But tonight had been filled with dreams being realized and needs being attended to…he didn't want to talk about the "should". He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head, inhaling the light fragrance of her shampoo. "Perhaps there will be time to deal with that once we ARE home? I'd prefer to savor every moment this evening has to offer before I am forced to face the harsh realities of tomorrow. Dance with me?"

She turned her head, sapphire eyes meeting the dark blue of his, communicating so much without words ever being spoken. "Kiss me first."

"With pleasure."

Clarisse snuggled even closer into his embrace despite the odd angle and position of their bodies. Joseph's hand cupped her cheek; the softness of their lips fused together as they sought to learn what pleased the other. Starting with a tenderness spawned by years of friendship and deep trust, the soft caresses fanned the embers of a deeper passion that was simmering below the surface.

With each light touch, Joseph found himself hungering for more. Clarisse's essence infused his sense…her smell, her touch, her taste. His hand slipped from her cheek to her neck, his fingers curling behind her head in the soft fringe of her short hair, pulling her to him – deepening the kiss.

Joseph's touch was awakening sensations within her body that she thought long forgotten; her body literally aching for his touch…for his kiss. Normally very quiet and reserved, she allowed herself a small murmur of pleasure as his mouth moved over hers. When he deepened the kiss, she blissfully lost herself in the joy of the moment.

Reluctantly, Joseph pulled away. Keeping his distance from her once they returned to Genovia would prove far more challenging than he had initially thought. He looked into her eyes and noted that she seemed as surprised by the intensity of their physical as he was. Her eyes closed when his thumb brushed across her swollen and well-kissed lips. "Could I have that dance now?"

He watched her lips curl in a smile, even though her eyes remain closed. "With pleasure."

He shifted their bodies so he could stand and then offered his hand to her. She stood and accepted his invitation with a slight curtsey. The dance started off normally in the traditional ballroom dancing stance; but Clarisse soon determined that, for tonight, her last night of freedom for a while, she wanted to enjoy each moment, hidden though they may be. She released Joseph's hands and stepped in closer, never ceasing the sway of her body in time to the music. Her hands clasped behind his neck and he followed suit by resting his at the small of her back. "This is much nicer, don't you think?" She asked in a voice that he was quickly learning to appreciate.

He pulled her even closer and dropped small kisses along her neck line, responding only with an "mmmm…"

They swayed to the music through several more song; their bodies close, moving in tandem to a song that their hearts had known for a while but their bodies were just beginning to learn. Joseph tried not to focus too much on the softness of the woman in his arms. He couldn't remember the last time he had held a woman in such an intimate manner. He knew that his arms had never held a woman of Clarisse's beauty – she was unparalleled in his mind. No other woman would ever compare now that he had tasted the sweetest wine – or to quote an old Peter Paul and Mary song…"kisses sweeter than wine". Yes, he definitely was in well over his head and couldn't be happier about it at that moment.

Clarisse was having the best night she could remember in a very long time. The future of her country was secure for the moment, her burden felt lighter and her mind filled with happy thoughts for a possible future with the man that held her tonight in his strong, capable arms. She took the lead for a few moments and danced them backwards until Joseph's body was trapped between hers and the marble wall just as hers was when the evening began. "I don't want this night to end…"

"But it must." He finished for her as he tried to breathe in and out slowly as her body pressed into his, the softness a welcome contrast to the hardness against his back.

"A kiss good night?"

He smiled as his hands moved up and down her back slowly, holding her close. "I'm in no position to refuse such a beautiful woman who has me totally at her mercy."

Her smile was brilliant as she leaned in further and whispered. "I believe the feeling is mutual."

They lost themselves again in the moment as they experienced the sweet connection that was as old as time, yet so new to the two people hiding away from the world and from those who would try to keep them apart. There was still much to be experienced and much time before those experiences could be allowed to come to fruition. But for tonight, this hidden moment that they could share would be one that would warm them for many nights to come.

Joseph smiled as he recalled the happiness they had together that night. He placed his hand gently over hers; enjoying the simple connection that another few hours of privacy would afford them. Once they touched down on Genovian soil, things would get more complicated. But for now, over the great expanse of deep blue sea, the beautiful woman whose hand he now held, belonged solely to him rather than a country of thousands.

tbc

A/N: OK everyone, so we are at the end of PD1 - we now need to fill up the 5 years between PD1 and PD2 with truly hidden moments. I don't usually do this, but if you have some hidden moments you would like to see, send me a private message and I will see if the muse will cooperate. Please understand, I can't PROMISE, but will try to incorporate as many ideas as possible!

Thank you for playing along with me in this wonderful fictional world!

Kayla