A.N- Once again reviews have been awesome. I'm sure your all dying for this chapter so here goes...

Clarisse held Joseph in her arms as the blood continued to flow from his wound. She was covered in it; all up her arms, all over her clothes and she even tasted it on her lips. Everyone had gone, but Joseph didn't seem to be concerned.

Clarisse looked down at Joseph, knowing she had to tell him what was in her heart before it was too late.

"Joseph...there's something I have to tell you", she whispered.

Joseph looked up into her eyes and she could see the light was leaving them. His expression was one of confusion.

"Clarisse...did you say something? I didn't hear; I'm just so cold..." she felt him shiver so held him closer, giving him her own warmth.

"I said there's something I have to tell you", Clarisse spoke loud and clear so Joseph would hear her.

"What? I can't hear you...Why is it so dark? Where did you go Clarisse?" Joseph was trembling now and Clarisse began to panic.

"Joseph I'm right here!" she yelled. "You have to listen to me! Please!"

"Goodbye Clarisse...where ever you are..." he whispered as he closed his eyes and relaxed in her arms.

"No Joseph!" she shook him gently, fear clutching at her heart.

"You can't leave now! Please don't die! Please don't leave me!" she cried out, as tears streamed down her face.

She heard him take a small breath then felt his body shudder, before he went completely limp in her arms.

"No..." she whispered as he let out a small sigh, never to breath again.

"No, no, no", she cried as she clutched his limp form against her body, rocking backward and forth.

"You can't be dead Joseph...because...because..." she stopped rocking and held him out to look into his face. All color had left him and she stared at his once lively face.

"Because I love you..." she whispered, and then broke into an uncontrollable sob as the realization hit her that he had never heard her words.

She held him close again and started yelling out, willing him to hear her, wanting desperately for him to go back to her.

"I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!" she got louder and louder as she continued to cry out.

"COME BACK! YOU CAN'T BE DEAD! NO, NO..."

"NO!" Clarisse yelled out as she sat bolt upright.

Pain shot up her arm and her head reeled as she fell back on the pillows. She was gasping for air when she felt some ones cool hands on her face.

"Please calm yourself Your Majesty, you are perfectly safe now. You'll be fine", Clarisse opened her eyes to find a woman dressed in a nurses uniform bending over her. She began breathing normally again so the nurse stepped back slightly.

Looking past the nurse, Clarisse gazed around the unfamiliar room.

"Where am I?" she asked, trying to remember the events before she fainted.

"You're in a private section of the hospital, Your Majesty, as you obtained a serious wound to your upper arm", the nurse replied indicating to Clarisse's heavily bandaged arm.

"It has been sewn up and the blood that you lost has been replaced while you slept", she informed Clarisse as she smiled softly.

"You had a lot of people worried when you fell unconscious, so I'm sure they will be pleased to hear you have woken", she said truthfully as she helped Clarisse to sit upright.

"W-What happened?" Clarisse stuttered.

"All I know is that your security personnel found you lying on the ground with a terrible wound in your arm, by the lake on your grounds", she stepped back from the bed and continued, "You were still conscious at that stage but when they helped you up, you just stepped forward and collapsed. You've been unconscious since".

Clarisse carefully took a breath as she closed her eyes. Joseph's death had only been a dream...

"Well that's what I was able to find out anyway", the nurse stated as she poured Clarisse a glass of water.

"Here drink this, you'll feel much better", she held the glass up to Clarisse's mouth. With the nurses' help, she managed to take a few small sips.

"Tell me, how long has it been since...since they brought me here?" Clarisse asked, slowly remembering what had happened.

"It's been over forty eight hours now, so you've had plenty of sleep. You won't need to stay much longer, just until we're sure that you are well enough to return to the palace. Although your Head of Security isn't so lucky..." the nurse murmured the last part so Clarisse only just caught it. Suddenly she remembered her dream and what she had to tell him.

"Joseph! Where is he?! Is he alright?" Clarisse asked with desperation sounding in her voice as she lent forward towards the nurse.

"Please sit back Your Majesty, don't stress yourself", the nurse soothed as she gently pushed Clarisse back onto the pillows.

"His name is Joseph?" the nurse asked Clarisse for confirmation. All Clarisse could do was nod silently as she held her breath waiting for the answer.

"Well Joseph came in with a deep stab wound to his chest, unconscious, like you", the nurse started, speaking slowly and carefully.

"He was taken into surgery immediately and the doctors were successful in mending the damage made to his chest, stopping the loss of blood. However he lost a lot in the process and they almost lost him at one stage. But he is a strong man so he should heal completely, once all of his lost blood has been replaced", the nurse reassured the queen.

Clarisse sighed as she blinked back the tears of joy and relief that threatened to flood down her face. This was not the place to get emotional, especially in front of the nurse.

"May I go see him?" Clarisse asked quietly, but in seeing the surprised look on the nurses' face she added, "to thank him for saving my life I mean, I must show him my gratitude."

She wasn't about to tell this strange woman her secret. No, she would only share it with the person whom it concerned.

"Well he hasn't woken yet..." she began and Clarisse gave her a pleading look. She must have understood it as she continued,

"But...I suppose I can arrange something. Just wait here while I go speak to the doctor", the nurse said as she bowed slightly before exiting the room.

Now alone, Clarisse glanced around the room and spotted her robe on the chair opposite the bed. If she was to go see Joseph then she had better get out of bed. Determined, Clarisse pushed the sheets off her, sliding her legs out until her feet touched the cool floor.

Standing slowly and carefully, she kept her hand on the edge of the bed for support as she gained her balance. Cradling her bandaged arm against her chest, she stepped forward slowly towards the chair. Her step only wavered slightly as she moved across the room, as the dizziness had passed, leaving her with only slightly weak legs. She was trying to put her robe on using only one hand when the nurse came back into the room.

"Oh Your Majesty! You must be careful with yourself and you shouldn't be moving about without my assistance!" the nurse exclaimed as she skillfully helped Clarisse into her robe.

"Well I made it this far alone", Clarisse said as she smiled apologetically, "But tell me, am I to go see Joseph?"

"Yes the doctor said it was fine. Although Joseph has not yet woken", the nurse informed her as she helped her into her slippers. Standing upright the nurse took Clarisse's arm and began to lead her towards the room Joseph was in.

'Maybe he will wake when I get there...' Clarisse thought to herself as they walked down the cool corridor, drawing nearer to where Joseph lay unconscious.

A.N- Ok this is a cruel place to end this chapter as well but its better to stop here as the next scene is a biggy. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I also hope that it resolves the problems from the last chapter. I'll update after exams.