Thank you everyone for reading and to WildMeiLing and MissJaymes for leaving me wonderful reviews on the last chapter.

Here is the next chapter, I bit the bullet again ;)

x-X-x-X-x

Monday 16th July 2001.

...continued.

Moving to sit in the chair beside the bed, Clarisse placed one of her hands on top of Joseph's and watched as he tipped his head back against the pillow.

"What are you thinking?" She asked a moment later and watched as he lifted his head.

"Oh, just that I can't believe this happened today of all days," he said and looked at her "I hate being stuck in bed, I should be protecting you especially after the news in the papers this morning."

"I know, but it'll be okay," she answered, rubbing his arm.

"You do realise though that if the press get wind of you being here with me it will add to the rumour mill?"

"I know it will, but I don't care let them say what they want," she said with a slight shrug "my lawyer is on the case anyway."

"She is?"

"Yes, when I called her before coming here to let her know that I had to cancel the meeting, she said she would just go ahead and start the proceedings against the papers."

"Okay," he nodded slightly and rested his head back "I spoke to Gino too this morning."

"And what did he say?"

"He was actually reading about it when I phoned, he and Elly have no idea who it could be but are absolutely mortified that someone they know could do this. They also couldn't apologise enough and are going to ask around." He said as Clarisse looked down, nodding slightly.

"Okay," she said quietly and took a deep breath before continuing "there is something I need to tell you."

"What's that?" He asked, lifting his head and watched as she looked up at him a long moment as she continued to rub his arm "Clarisse, what is it?"

As she looked deep into his eyes she had every intention on telling him her suspicions on who it might be, but knowing how upset and angry he would be, something he didn't need at this moment in time she decided to wait. "The prime minister, he knows it's you," she finally said.

"Okay," he nodded and looked away a moment "I suppose he wants you to step down?" He asked and looked back at her.

"No he doesn't actually," she said, shaking her head "he said what I do in my personal life is up to me, but thinks it's great that I can move on and be happy again."

"Ok, I'm sure others wouldn't agree though,"

"I'm sure they won't, but as long as I have the prime ministers support, which I do, there isn't anything they can do about it."

"That's true," he said and looked back at her.

"Anyway, shall I go and get you that cup of tea now?" Clarisse asked.

"Yes, please," Joseph nodded and watched as she stood to her feet.

"Alright, I won't be long," she smiled and kissed him before walking over to the door.

"Okay," he said and watched as she walked out of his room.

Pulling the door closed behind her, Clarisse leant back against it and let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding.

"Your Majesty?" Shades said and watched as she turned her head to look at him "is everything okay?"

"Yes," she nodded and put her hands together in front of her as she turned to him "Joseph, he would like a cup of tea and I didn't bring my purse with me, I don't suppose," trailing off, she watched as he put his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out his wallet "I will give it you back once we get home?"

"There's no need," nodded Shades.

"Thank you so much, Shades,"

"No problem, would you like anything?"

"I'll have tea too, please?"

"Of course," he nodded and went to turn to walk away when she extended her arm out to stop him.

"I'll come with you, if that's okay?" She asked "it'll give me chance to speak to you about something."

"Of course," he nodded and extended his arm out for her to lead the way.

"Thank you," she said and walked forward, leading the way.

Later That Evening.

Watching the doctor as she left the room, Joseph let out a long sigh and rested his head back against the bed "well that's that then, the operation will go ahead in five days."

"Yes, but it's for the best," Clarisse said as she stood to her feet and moved to stand beside the bed "could you really see yourself in a wheelchair a year from now?" She asked.

"No, I can not,"

"No, I didn't think you could," she said and put one of her hands on his shoulder "but just think when you come home you will have me there to look after you."

"Oh," he said, lifting his head to look up into her eyes and placed his hand on her side "my very own sexy Nurse Clarisse," he smirked as she looked down at her other hand resting on the bed and chuckled "oh how I wish I wasn't laid up in bed right now, because I can think of much better things to be doing with my time."

"I bet you can," Clarisse smiled while playfully gripping hold of his chin as she leant closer to him "you Mr Elizondo, have a dirty mind," she said and kissed him a couple times.

"You wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled, smoothing his hand down onto her thigh "I just wish I wasn't stuck in here though."

"I know, me too but I'll be here everyday to see you," she said softly.

"You don't have to, I know you have a lot going on this week," he said, putting his arm up and wrapped it around her waist as she turned and sat on the edge of the bed beside him.

"I know I do, but that isn't going to stop me from coming to see you," she said, putting her hand on his thigh and turned her head to look at him "and the day of your operation I will be here before you go down for it and I will be here when you wake up."

"Thank you," he said as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and kissed his head as he rested it on her shoulder.

"It's okay," she said softly and the room fell silent.

"I don't care what anybody says, after my operation I am not going to use a walking frame," he said after several moments and lifted his head to see Clarisse smirking.

"Why ever not?" She asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Well they are for old people," he said as she turned her head away "and I'm not old."

"But," she said, but shook her head instead as she tried to stop herself from laughing.

"It's alright, you can laugh at my expense," he said, watching as she put her hand up to her lips.

"I'm not laughing," she said, shaking her head as she looked down a moment, trying to compose herself "alright, if you aren't going to use a frame what are you going to use?"

"Crutches," he said and looked at her as she nodded slightly.

"It'll be easier with a frame," she nodded, trying so hard not to laugh.

"Come on, can you really see me using a frame?" He asked and watched as she averted her gaze away a long moment "you can, can't you? You're picturing it now, aren't you?"

Looking back at him, she bit her bottom lip and nodded "I am, I'm sorry," she said with a chuckle but then became serious "but hey," she said softly, and gently gripped his chin, turning his face to look at her "it doesn't matter if you have to use a frame, it doesn't mean you are old, its just to help you with your recovery, that's all."

Nodding, he looked away and thought a moment "I will think about it."

"You're stubborn, you know that?" She said, taking hold of his hand.

"Yes," he nodded and smiled at her.

As the room fell silent once again, Joseph rested his head back down on her shoulder and yawned. "Are you tired?" She asked.

"Yes, this medication they are giving me is making me drowsy," he said and lifted his head to look up into her eyes "as much as I enjoy having you here keeping me company, I'm going to be fast asleep soon so why don't you go home and get some rest yourself?"

"I don't want to, I want to stay here with you, in case you need me."

"Alright, now who's being stubborn?" He said and watched as she smirked a little and looked down at their hands "please go home and get some rest."

Looking back up into his eyes a moment, she found herself nodded in agreement "alright, but you call me if you need me." She said as he nodded.

"I will,"

"Okay, Lars should be here by now anyway," she said, standing to her feet.

"Wait, what? Why would Lars be here?" He asked as she turned to him.

"To stand guard on your door," she said, folding her arms.

"What?" He laughed and shook his head "I don't need no guard."

"Yes you do Joseph, because you are my bodyguard and stuck in a hospital bed some people may try to take advantage of that fact and with what's going on at the moment I can't take any chances, so a guard you are having."

"Have I any say in this?" He asked and watched as she smirked while lowering her arms.

"No, you don't," she said, shaking her head "I'm sorry."

"I didn't think I would have,"

"It's for your own protection, and only why you are in here,"

"And what about your protection?" He asked, looking up into her eyes.

"I will have Shades," she said and watched as he shook his head.

"Oh he's no good, not yet anyway,"

"You underestimate him Joseph, he is a fine guard and one I think will take you by surprise," she said, placing her hand down on his thigh.

"He is a fine guard, but not one I would trust yet to protect you," he said "I can't help wanting only the best for you."

"I know you do, but for now you are going to have to put your trust in him and some of the other guards to take your place because unfortunately, we have no other choice."

"I know, I know," he said and rested his head back on the pillow once again.

"Anyway, I will go now and let you get some rest."

"Okay, call me when you get home so I know you got there safely?" He said, looking up into her eyes.

"I will of course," she said softly and leant over, kissing him "I will see you in the morning then?"

"Yes you will, it's not like I will be going anywhere is it," he said, watching her walk over to the door.

"I know, but soon you will be home," she said and looked back at him "I love you, now get some rest."

"I will," he nodded "I love you too."

Smiling, she walked out and closed the door behind her.

Later.

Arriving back at the palace a short time later, Clarisse walked through the door to find Charlotte waiting for her. "Good evening, Charlotte,"

"Good evening Your Majesty," Charlotte said as Clarisse closed the door and turned back to her assistant "how is Joseph?"

"He's not happy, he needs to stay in and have an operation on his knee in a few days."

"So he will be in for a while then?" She asked as Clarisse nodded.

"A couple weeks at least, but all depends on his recovery after the operation," she said sadly.

"Bet he's hating that," Charlotte said and watched as Clarisse put her hand up onto her forehead.

"Yes, he is," she nodded "is there any messages?" She asked, lowering her hand.

"Yes, you have several, one from Amelia, Pierre and Eleanor and two from the prime minister," Charlotte said, passing her the messages and watched as she went through them.

"Okay, thank you Charlotte," she said and read Pierre's message before laughing "why did he have to write 'constant loved up smile' in the paper this morning? Why couldn't he just say a spring in her step instead? Now I have that image stuck in my head. Anyway, I just want to make sure you are okay so please call me when you can." Shaking her head she looked back up at her assistant "I will call them all back tomorrow, it's been a long day and all I want to do is go and have a soak in the bath and go to bed."

"Okay, Your Majesty," said Charlotte as Clarisse began making her way slowly up the stairs "goodnight."

"Yes, goodnight." Clarisse said, continuing on. Walking through her suite door moments later, she placed the messages down on the sideboard and flicked on the light before turning to find Isabella sleeping on her sofa. Closing the door she made her way over and sat down beside her, patting her leg to wake her up.

Lifting her head, Isabella opened her eyes and looked at her sister "hello, how's Joseph?"

"Gutted that he's got to stay in and have a knee replacement," Clarisse answered.

"Oh,"

"What are you doing here anyway?" She asked and noticed a card on the coffee table.

"I was waiting for you to get back," Isabella said and watched as she picked up the card "I must have fallen to sleep."

"I can't wait to see you again, all my love H xx," she read from the card and looked up at her sister "what's this?" She asked "who's H?"

"You tell me?" Isabella said and watched as she looked back down at the card in her hands "it came this morning along with those roses," she added and pointed to the table behind them as Clarisse suddenly gasped, realising who H was.

Looking up, she looked at the roses a long moment then back at her sister "oh no no no," she exclaimed and shook her head.

"I think you have some explaining to do, don't you?" Isabella said as Clarisse looked back at her "who's H Clarisse?"

"H is for Henry, who is Gino and Eleanor's son. I met him Saturday night," Clarisse said and looked down at the card in her hands "he's thirty nine, young enough to be my son but he wanted to take me out for a drink and dancing."

"What?' Isabella exclaimed as Clarisse looked back up at her "wait a minute, from what he wrote on the card," she said, taking it from her sister and studied it a moment before looking back up at her "you didn't say yes, did you?"

"No, oh god no, how could you even ask?" Clarisse exclaimed.

"I don't know, with the papers this morning and now this," Isabella said, shaking her head.

"I would never cheat on Joseph, Isabella you should know I'm not like that."

"Ahh but you have cheated before, on Rupert,"

"That was once, one time," Clarisse exclaimed while holding her forefinger up in front of her.

"It was twice actually, you cheated on Rupert twice," Isabella said, interrupting her sister as she sat there open mouthed.

"Alright twice, but it was with the man I am with now, the man who I love very very much Isabella. I wasn't happy in my marriage when I cheated on Rupert, but I am very happy now, Joseph makes me feel young again. In fact, I have never felt so much passion before like I do when I'm with him, when we are together I lose control, every time. So I have no reason to stray, especially with someone who is twenty seven years younger than me and young enough to be my son."

"Okay," Isabella said and watched as her sister looked down at the card.

"There is something else," Clarisse said while looking back up at Isabella.

"What is it?"

"He knows about Joseph and I,"

"How?"

"I don't know, he must have seen something at the party," Clarisse said, shrugging slightly "but when I refused the drink he asked me what Joseph had that he didn't."

"Oh," Isabella said, studying her sister a moment "oh, you don't think he was the one who told the press?"

"He's got to be, he, apart from Elly and Gino is the only other person who knows about us that was at the party and who would have access to the photos that were printed," Clarisse said.

"Does Joseph know about all this? From asking you for a drink to it possibly being him who told on you?"

"No, he doesn't,"

"What? Why didn't you tell him Saturday night when he asked you for a drink?" Asked Isabella.

"I was going to, I had every intention on telling him but then Joseph done this really cute thing but anyway, it completely slipped my mind until this morning when I see it in the paper and then I couldn't bring myself too."

"You need to tell him, Clarisse," Isabella said.

"I can't, how can I tell him when he's in hospital?" Clarisse said, watching her sister as she looked away a moment "he will be so angry, I can't do that to him not when he's so upset over needing this operation."

"Then you need to tell his parents, before he ends up telling the papers who it is you are seeing. I know this morning Joseph's name wasn't mentioned, but give it time." Isabella said as Clarisse nodded while looking away "you need to tell them, Clarisse."

Looking back at her sister, Clarisse nodded once again and said "I will."