Disclaimer: If I owned Reign, well… what's the use of might have beens?

AN: This one is especially for Stacey xo I love you sweet bird. Enjoy the read everyone.

"There aren't enough hours in the day for me to be with you."

She covered up her unease with a chuckle. "Careful, or the people will think you've gone mad."

"I already am." He responded in kind with a laugh of his own, the hand at her hip brushing softly against her side.

"Honestly, Henry…"

"Yes, sweet Catherine?"

Her eye roll came around full force. "You outdo yourself with these endearments."

"Only because I know how sweet you truly are." He said back with a grin.

"Sweet, am I?" Bending once more to her ear, he brushed his lips against her cheek before he responded with a hum.

"Mhm, I want more of your honey."

"Henry, for goodness' sake, lower your voice." Catherine looked about and hoped no one could hear the scandalous things her husband was saying.

Dropping his voice, he held her close so she could feel the vibrations in his chest. "You want me like this? As you wish, darling."

"Henry - " Her husband began to nuzzle softly at her ear.

"I love the way you say my name."

"Henry, I can't - " He was getting dangerously close to that sensitive spot on her neck.

"Of course you can. Just close your eyes." Her curls brushed against him and he had to take a moment.

"It isn't that easy." She said in explanation.

"What's easier than a kiss?" Pulling back, his gaze traced the contours of her lips.

He couldn't help but hate the next words out of her mouth. "We have to go back."

"If we do, will you let me hold you like this?" It was nice holding her like this, after all.

"You're being unreasonable." Her voice had that edge to it, the true edge that he loved.

"I think a single, lonely kiss is quite reasonable considering everything else I'm thinking." Catherine had to bite her tongue to keep her shiver at bay.

"You'll not let me go until you've kissed me, is that it?"

He shrugged. "Tell me you don't want to kiss me."

"I - "

"Look at me as you say it." Once more, he guided her darling face up.

The words were easy enough to say. "I don't want to kiss you."

"Then why do your eyes say something else?"

"My eyes?" Said eyes gave him an annoyed glance. "Now you're just being ridiculous."

"Then say it again like you mean it and tell your heart to stop beating so quickly." His wife hid herself so well, but not when they were this close. He could see her truly now.

Closing her eyes, she gave an almighty sigh. "I swear, you are incorrigible."

"I told you, say it like you mean it and I'll walk away." It couldn't be that hard if she truly meant it. "I'll lie in bed thinking about you tonight anyway. Won't you give me a parting gift for your poor husband?"

"I think not." What had he just said?

Henry looked at her, really looked at her. "There's something different in you, Catherine. What's changed?"

He had her there. Why hadn't she left? His hold on her was snug, but it wasn't as if it were a vice. She truly could have walked away at any moment. Why hadn't she? Looking up into those eyes, Catherine saw her own unwanted feelings reflected at her. Yes, she loved him. She hated it, but she did. Why had she stayed when she could have so easily evaded his attentions? She wanted this moment with him. A solitary moment in this tumultuous relationship of theirs. One single instance she could look back on and remember when they went back to slinging insults and curses at one another. It hadn't been this way since they were young. She felt so vulnerable to him, but yet…at ease. His kindness to her recently hadn't gone unnoticed, it just confused her.

"I could ask you the same."

AN: Madeleine, I know you'll be reading this soon enough and that decision I told you last night will come to pass, promise. I had it here, but then I realized it was midnight madness telling me it was a good fit.

To Jayleigh81: My thoughts exactly writing the last chapter. No lie. Except mine involved a lot more cursing because I'm me.

To demedicigirl: YAY so glad you did like it. This chapter is a bit different, but… it needed to happen heh

To pickleshibby: HERE YA GO! *passes over snacks*

To CallmeCordelia1: Ayyy, Stacey girl. Realized because of time zones, you're getting this in the evening… my bad xo baby confronting him was NOT what was supposed to happen this chapter, but we'll see what happens next chapter because golly. Guess who doesn't actually plan until she sits down for the next chapter? Me.

To PopRockShawty: Sweetie pie, if you want Henry to be wearing blue, he's wearing blue. The interpretation is up to you :) LOL Of course Henry is good at seduction, he's Henry heh heh. Lowkey swooned at the imagery of this chapter, but then I'm weak for Cathry