A/N: We have come to our final chapter. That's right this is the last chapter to this fanfic. One because if I extended it any longer I bore you out of your minds, and two because well I got other fanfics to write and cough fix.

Lets see I left off him being shot right. Yes I realize it would be cruel to leave it there, so I won't. Well enjoy this chapter and please, please review, because well I want to know if over all you liked it. XD enjoys!

Falling. Falling into darkness. The happiness and love he knew were gone, forever. His anger and sadness pulled him further into the shadow. Veiling himself from the light, he let his heart die. The same questions ring through his ears. What is left now? What is left now that she is gone? What hope do I have to live? Should I even try? Cold air rushing past him freezing and numbing his bare skin. It coolness even slipped through the layered clothing he wore. The tears that rolled off his cheek and flew above him, but soon dropped as they were transformed into ice. He closed his tired eyes and was ready to surrender to death. But, from above him he heard a faint whisper, which woke his mind. Its soothing and calm voice slowed him until he was frozen in the air. Lying there he looked up. A small light appeared and he squinted at its brightness. It had certain warmth to it. Warmth that made him reaches out his pale hand. As he reached for it he felt all his pain and anguish fall away. Then he began to rise.

As he stared at the light, images flashed before his eyes. Someone's life, but not his. Clarisse's life flashed before him or at least what he knew of it. He felt her every emotion, as well as those around her. Slowly he began to realize how important he was to her. How she herself could not live if he died.

Suddenly he fell so fast and so hard he had no time to think. He felt like he hit the ground. Suddenly he jolted up off a bed table. Gasping he looked around himself confused. The doctors and nurses seemed very surprised, some trying to calm him down other too shocked to do anything.

"Where am I?" he said in a very horsed voice through gasping.

"Calm down sir, your at the hospital. We are trying to help you now lay back." He felt himself being forced down. "Rest we will talk later."

"No.. I... need...I ...need ...to..to.." He felt them inject something and soon he was unconscious again.

He awoke again in a white room. He slowly sat up as not to startle anyone. Though no one was there to startle. He looked around the room and saw multiple presents and balloons. Cards and posters with "GET WELL SOON!" written across them. He took in slow deep breaths.

The nurse must have noticed, for a few minutes later she and the doctor came in. The doctor was in a normal white coat though he had Scottish features. He even had the flaming red hair. He smiled at Joe and walked over to him.

"Good to see you awake. I hear you gave them a bit of a scare in the operating room." First thing he said.

"What happened? How long have I been here? I should get back to the palace."

"Hold on there, you are in no shape to leave for at least a few more days. As for what happened you were shot in the right collarbone and through your left leg. And you have been sleeping for two days now." He continued to smile. "By the way I am Doctor McKay."

Joe looked at him. He didn't feel like talking, he felt like going back to Clarisse. He wanted to hold her and kiss her. He wanted to apologize again and take back what he said.

"Here." The doctor held up a small piece of metal for Joe to take. "That's the bullet we found in your collar bone. The other on went straight through your leg. Mighty brave of you, I know many men who would have ran for their lives."

Joe took the bullet and smiled slightly. "When duty calls, I come a running to it."

The McKay smiled and left. Over the next couple of days Joe learned to use his left leg again. Since it was shot it wasn't as strong as the other. His collarbone had only been cracked but he still had to where a bandage for six more weeks. Eventually they let him leave and thank God. He was sick of hospital food. All he wanted has Cocoa Puffs.

Joe had to use a cane now to help his leg, but he would have preferred to limp. The pain wasn't much, just small amounts. So he entered through the front doors. Anyone who was around simply said, "Welcome back, Sir" mostly because they had things to get done. Though he wasn't in the door for five minutes before Mia came running up to him.

"Welcome back Joe! We missed you so much!"

"I missed you as well." He opened up his free arm to give her a hug. Which she almost sent herself flying into. "How has it been?"

"Not bad, I think your injuries severely affected Grandmere."

"Why do you say that?" He said as he started walking towards his room with Mia at her side.

"Well, she has been very mopey and depressed since the ambulance took you away. Though to be honest only the people here in the palace have noticed. So how was the hospital treating you?"

"Evil. I never want to go back."

Mia laughed. "You should probably go see her. She would like that."

"Yes, I will, but first I must shower. I didn't like those showers there much."

"Oh forget about the shower. You look and smell fine."

"Yes but I feel dirty."

"That's too bad."

"You know you become more and more like you Grandmother everyday."

"Yeah, I knew that."

She walked away laughing. He shook his head and entered his room. The fresh smell of winter washed over him and he smiled even more so. He missed his own bed and home. He took hi winter coat off and put on his leather jacket. He saw a bright pink sticky note on his desk. He shook his head and went over to read. He sighed deeply at the note as he read it.

Hey Super Man,

Looks like you could dodge bullets after all. Thanks for saving my ass yesterday. If you want to talk you know how to find me.

Love Rhea

He chuckled to himself, another forties maybe he'll talk to her. He decides to skip his shower and head to the queen's office. Though he suddenly was very nervous. What would he say to her? How would he say anything? Guilt rushed past him and flooded through his emotions.

He stood there by the door for ten minutes. He felt eyes all around him watching him. He knew they would, they all seemed to know why he was there. Slowly he raised his arm up and knocked. He heard your muffled words "Come In." through the door.

Slowly he opened and stepped in. As he looked up into her eyes he saw the loneliness and pain. She took in a deep breath and came out from behind her desk. He couldn't help himself. He flooded towards her and embraced her into a hug. To his surprise she held him tight to her. They stood there in a hug for a long time. He felt her begins to cry and he felt himself shed some tears too.

Joe spent the rest of the day watching over her. Though they did not say much to each other, they enjoyed being around one another. Joe had left to attend to some things and returned to find Clarisse gone. He saw a note and only read "The cliff of night". Joe smiled he knew exactly where she went.

Soon he was in the stables and preparing a horse. Taking note that Clarisse's horse was not there at the same time. He rode off through the grounds, with a pain through his leg every so often, but he made it to their lake. The one with the small cliff over looming the lake side.

Sure enough her horse was there. He smiled to himself. He got off the horse and took his cane. He made his way to the cliff and found her sitting there. She gave him a small smile as he sat down beside her.

"They gave you a cane?" She asked.

"Yeah. It makes me feel old and useless, but I guess I'm getting use to it."

"Hmm. That was a beautiful poem, Joseph."

He looked at her and noticed she was wearing the necklace. "Well, it was written about someone special to me. Someone I hope to never disappoint again or lose."

He lay down now looking up at the night sky. The stars sparkled and the snow was kind of cold. Though it didn't bother him much. Clarisse looked at him with a soft look. She lay down beside him resting her head on his chest.

Joe sat up and brought her with him. He looked deep into her eyes and swam into the blue. He leaned in and kissed her. Softly he spoke to her. "You are the only one I ever have loved."

She looked at him and shut her eyes with pain. "Joseph, as much as I love you, nothing can be between us. We can not be one while I rule a country."

He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. "I know."

"Will you wait for me?"

"I would wait forever. Forever."