Well wasn't my last chappy interesting? I agree. So let's move on. I'm glad you guys like what's going on, but know this might be the last chapter I don't know. Either this on or the next one. Anywho, I'm just giving you a heads up. Well enjoy. XD

Joe woke early the next morning. He knew instantly something was wrong. Maybe it was the person lying next to him maybe it was the guilt of sleeping with them. Either way something deeper felt wrong. He shifted slightly and looked at Rhea beside him. Though at the same time, he couldn't help but feel he had missed out on something his whole life.

Joe sighed and woke Rhea gently. She smiled at him and looked deep into his eyes. Joe had never seen such happiness come from her emerald eyes. He smiled and kissed on the forehead. Slowly he got out of the bed and went to get dressed.

"You better not let anyone see you leave my room. Rumors fly like locus in this castle." He said kind of in a croaked voice.

"Then stealth training will be useful. Though I highly doubt at five in the morning anyone else is up."

"You will be surprised in this castle."

"Perhaps." Rhea got out of the covers and put on her clothes.

She winked at Joe before she left. Quietly she opened the door and left. She got back to her room without being seen. Or at least that's what she thought. Clarisse was on her way to talk to Joe, when she saw Rhea leave. In fact it had left Clarisse standing in the hallway gaping for quite sometime.

Clarisse knew exactly what Rhea was doing in Joe's room this early. Well, it was very obvious since Rhea was sneaking back to her room. Clarisse could not believe what she saw, nor would she let herself. Slowly she went back to her chamber and did believe her eyes. The pain she felt was too much and she let herself cry for the first time in a long time.

When Joe finally left the room. He felt that he needed to talk to Clarisse. It was a glorious Christmas Eve morning and he felt nothing could upset it. He silently smiled to himself and walk in a kind of strut he had not used since he was younger. It seemed like record timing that he managed to get to the queen's chambers.

Joe knocked on the door and waited an answer. One of the queen's maids opens the door and Joe smiled, but the maid gave him a deep glare. He blinked, and shook his head as he passed her. What the devil was wrong with her? Joe entered the main room and waited for Clarisse to come and greet him.

She entered but not with her usual smile, but simply a very tolerant look. Joe knew that she was angry with him, though why would she? She did not see...oh god! She knows. Clarisse waved the servants away before she began.

"I hope Rhea enjoyed herself last night."

Those words pierced his heart, he felt the back of his neck begin to burn and the pit of his stomach knot.

Clarisse continued. "Though, why was she there?"

He looked down at the ground, He could no longer look her in the eye and then he whispered word the burned through him and into her. "Because I am tired of feeling this way."

Clarisse softened her expression and swallowed back her guilt and pain. "So you would rather be with her."

"No, but at the same time I can't feel this way. No more, Clarisse, no more."

She knew too that it would end, but deep down she hoped it would last forever. Joe rolled up his sleeve and she would have fallen if it were not for the fact that she was sitting. She saw the cuts he made on his arm.

"I have to be honest. These are too perfect to come from trees. I self inflict pain to shred my inner torment."

"I know. I knew that when you first cut yourself."

"I'm sorry it has come to this." And with that he left, but before he left he placed a small gold box on the table by the door. He gave one last solemn look and left. He traveled the hallways to towards Rhea's room. Never had he gotten so many glares in his life. Though he barely noticed.

He knocked on Rhea's door and she answered. She smiled at him and allowed him to enter. As soon as she shut the door she pounced on him with a kiss. He drew away very quickly.

"I do not love you, Rhea."

"Then what was last night?"

"A drunk and depressed man, who did not want to be alone."

"You were always a bit too stubborn with you emotions."

"The Queen knows."

Rhea looked up at him. "So, what of it?"

"It hurt her very much that I was with you and it hurt me just as much. I can not do that. I will ask you to leave as soon as you can."

"I don't think it hurts her as much as it hurts you, but perhaps I will leave soon. Though only for you."

He smiled and thanked her. He spent the whole day escorting her around and answering her questions. It was almost eight in the evening by the time he returned her to her room. He bowed and told her he would return in an hour to take to the ball.

He left and returned in what seemed like minutes. He even had his tux on, which was kind of surprising the Rhea because he seemed very dazed. Entering the ballroom he slipped into the far corner. He did not wish to be seen.

Clarisse sighed again after Joe left. Her heart felt like it had been crushed and shred till there was nothing left. She knew he loved her, but what happened said otherwise. Maybe he did not love like she thought. Mia entered through the door and smiled at her grandmother. Though the smile seemed to slip away when Mia saw her grandmothers expression.

"Hey, Grandmere, are you okay?"

"Yes, fine, just fine."

The tone Mia knew well in that the tone was only used when there was a problem. "Are other countries threatening us again or..." Looking at her grandmother more closely. "Did you and Joe have a fight."

"You won't leave me alone until I tell you, will you?"

"Probably not."

"I suppose you could call it a fight, but I think it was more of a lose of comfort." Clarisse look up into Mia's eyes. "Why does he have to be that way?"

"What happened?"

"He was with Rhea all last night. Though I was told he had jazz on last night, which means he was drinking. Maybe that's his excuse, I don't know."

"Joe drinking? Weird... Are you saying Joe was like with "with" Rhea?"

"Yes."

"Oh My God! Wow, Joe, that's not like him."

"I know. Its just so frustrating."

"Wow, you really love Joe don't you."

All Clarisse could do at that point was nod. She let some tears fall and Mia saw them. She went and sat by her grandmother. Soon they were in a tight hug. Clarisse knew that Joe would now stay as far away as possible from her. Though tonight at the Christmas Ball he had no choice but to be there.

Suddenly Clarisse felt angry. No longer looking for sadness or pity she stood and began to occupy herself. Mia took the hint.

"Grandmere, would you rather be alone?"

"No! Why would I?" The hint of anger boiling between words.

"You just seem like you could use some alone time."

"Alone time... I HAVE SPENT ENOUGH TIME ALONE! HE IS SUCH A ..A..a, I don't know." The anger subsided a bit

"Let the anger out."

"HE CAN BE SO FOOLISH! I KNOW IT'S NOT OBVIOUS, BUT HE CAN! RHEA MUST BE VERY SLICK TO BE ABLE TO PERSUADE HIM TO A BED WITH HER! GOD DAMN IT!" She slammed her fists on the desk.

She took in a deep breath. "Have the day to yourself Mia. I think I need to be alone."

Joe stood in his corner, looking very solemn. Though he knew everyone there, he did not feel like talking. All the people there were of Genovia. All of them of parliament of course and their families.

He plugged in his earpiece. The reports going through seemed normal. Mostly of the arrivals and keeping order to the ball. He realized then that Mia was walking over to him. She smiled at him and stood beside Joe.

"I heard about last night."

"Who hasn't?"

"You know I never though you would do something like that."

"I wouldn't if I was sober."

"Why were you drinking then?"

"There was just too much pain."

"You know, it sounds funny to hear that you were drinking. Its like something you would never even do."

"Yes I know, that's why you shall keep that between you and me."

"Of course."

"Mia, I don't think your grandmother knows how much it hurts."

"Maybe she does."

Joe shifted his glance towards Mia, who simply smiled back. Joe gave her a small smile and Mia knew she achieved making him feel better.

"So is that Rhea?"

She pointed at Rhea who was wearing an emerald dress. "Yes."

"She is beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as Clarisse."

"I'll let her know you said that."

"Maybe she'll talk to me again."

"Hey, I believe you're the one who has been avoiding her."

"I'd rather not face her wrath quite yet. I'm still in shock from this morning."

"She said nothing that could allow you to hurt."

"Maybe not, but hurts to say what I said."

Mia nodded, just as a new report came in. He listened closely to the words. "There is a group of men heading into the ballroom. Possible danger. We are trying to cut them off now. Requesting back up." Mia saw the Joe's face change. He looked up at the guests. All very clueless, then he caught Rheas eye. She knew they were here for her.

Joe turned to Mia. "Tell your Grandmother that there is trouble in the entrance hall. I'm on my way to help stop it." Suddenly Mia noticed the security rushing out of the room. "Get the guests to safety."

As soon as he finished he left the room. Locking the doors behind him. He heard rushing feet and gun shots. As he ran down the hall two security guards came running up to him. The first one of them spoke.

"We got most of them but there are three left."

"Sir, what do they want?" asked the second.

"A very rare jewel. Look one of you take this passage." Joe opened one of the paintings like a door. "And come around behind them. One of you and me will try to hold them off. By the way, where are the rest of the security?"

"Half are wounded and half are taking the captured to a holding cell."

Joe nodded and helped one of them threw the hole. He shut the painting just in time to hear the enemy approaching. He and the other guard got into a crouched position and waited. Catching the enemy by surprise they got one before the rest started shooting.

He did not really know if he was aiming, but soon he was out of bullets. He threw his gun at one of their heads the guy swayed a bit. And then threw his gun a Joe. Joe dodged this and caught the guy by the arm. He hit it three times before he heard a crack.

The other security guard finally got back. He shot both of the guys that were left in the legs. The guards removed the guns and placed them carefully in a bag. With all the adrenaline gone Joe realized he had been shot. There were two places that pained, in his lower left leg and in the right side of his upper chest.

He felt himself sway and this wave of nausea washed over him. Soon he felt the cold ground and some warm liquid begin to pool beneath him. Then he heard voices and someone screaming. Then he heard some one calling out for an ambulance right before he passed out into darkness.