Shall We Dance?
A/N What if Clarisse had turned the music back on, rather than Joseph? Set in the middle of PD1, with a flashback. Characters not mine, but it's fun to play with them.
"See you tomorrow!" Mia ran out of the ballroom, anxious to get home, get out of her school uniform and call her best friend, Lily. Joseph watched her go, bewildered that the clumsy young girl hadn't taken out a priceless piece of art with her knapsack…yet.
It seemed quiet now with Mia gone. She had brought such a spark into the Royal household. Even after such a short time her presence was missed, Joseph thought to himself, as he prepared himself to be dismissed by the Queen.
Clarisse stood at the table, watching him, discreetly of course. It would never do for the Queen to be caught gazing longingly at her Head of Security. They had been friends, once a long time ago. Now, theirs was a professional relationship, albeit a warm one. These days, however, Clarisse found herself thinking more and more about the man she knew better than any other, yet hardly knew at all. It disturbed her that she spent so much time thinking about him, but at the same time she couldn't, no, wouldn't stop herself from this one little pleasure.
"If that will be all, Your Majesty" Joseph stood beside her, ready to take his leave. He was slightly confused when he received no reply, when she didn't look at him, but he remained silent, waiting.
Her hand shaking ever so slightly, Clarisse reached out and pressed the "play" button on the stereo. The music once again filled the room, but this time it wasn't for an instructor and pupil, but for two adults who had waited many years for this moment.
She slowly turned her head to look at his face, slightly anxious to see his expression. She needn't have worried, for all she saw was his delight. He held out his hand to her and pulled her gently out onto the dance floor. Taking her in his arms he led her through the steps he had taught to Mia moments ago, as they did the "wango" together.
Charlotte did walk in on them, but quickly backed out of the room leaving them to their private moment. She had wondered for so long when Her Majesty would finally allow herself the joy of loving Joseph, as Charlotte knew she did. How many times had she caught the Queen fondly gazing at her Head of Security? How often had she noticed Joseph returning that look, as a man looks at the woman he loves? She let them alone, silently hoping that the impasse had been broken.
The dance came to an end all too quickly, and Joseph found it most difficult to release her. In a desperate attempt to keep her in his arms for even a moment longer he said: "You've been wearing black too long."
She inched closer to him and replied "You think it's time I incorporated some colour into my wardrobe?"
Her proximity thrilled him, but rendered him practically incapable of speaking. He mustered a husky voice and said, "Well, it wouldn't do any harm."
She smiled, and leaned her head on his shoulder, one hand on his chest. He encircled her with his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Clarisse, it makes me very happy to see you smile again. I think meeting young Princess Mia has been good for you."
"No, Joseph. This isn't about Mia this is about you. There hasn't been a day in the last fifteen years when I haven't wanted to be in your arms. I simply just couldn't wait another moment."
"Ah, so that's why Mia was excused from princess lessons so early today." He gently lifted her face with his finger, gazing into her eyes seeking permission to kiss her.
"If your lesson had lasted one second longer I think that I would have burst" she laughed and leaned toward him as they shared their first kiss in years.
flashback>
Their very first kiss had come quite unexpectedly, following their return to Genovia from a month-long royal tour with the boys when they were teenagers. Joseph had just been made Head of Security prior to the trip and had been personally congratulated for its success by King Rupert upon their safe return. To celebrate his personal victory, Joseph had poured himself a drink and stood on the terrace, relaxing for the first time in a month. As he gazed out at the beautiful gardens, her gardens, planned and watched over diligently by Her Majesty, she came and stood at his side.
"Not only are you proud of yourself, Joseph, but I am extremely proud and happy for you."
"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty, to serve and protect the Crown." He turned and smiled at her. She was so beautiful, golden hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a figure that denied she was the mother of teenaged sons. But in her eyes he saw something he hadn't seen before – longing. He raised his eyebrows and spoke softly "Clarisse?"
The tears glistened in her eyes. "Now that we're home, I won't see you much anymore, will I?"
"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be right here at the palace. Don't worry."
"That's not what I mean, and you know it. You know that we won't be able to spend time alone together."
"What are we doing right now?"
"Inviting trouble, that's what."
"Then why are you here, why aren't you locked away in your room reading as usual?"
Exasperated, she turned away from him. "Because when I saw you out here, I had to come down. I needed to see you."
"Clarisse, you and I both know that getting close to each other while we were away was a bad idea. You are the Queen, and not only that you are a married woman. I happen to work for your husband, and while I may be very much in love with his wife, I need to keep this job. For one reason, I'm not independently wealthy, and secondly, if I lose this job I lose the ability to see you, to talk to you, and to be with you. Do you understand?"
Her shoulders shaking with sobs, she nodded her head. "I do understand. I understand all too well. But how do I go on pretending that you are just Head of Security, and not the man I love? How long do you think I can do that?"
"My darling, we'll find a way through this. I will always be here for you. Always and forever. But right now, you'd better go before the maids find us out here alone."
It had happened in an instant, neither of them ever knew who instigated the kiss, and neither would ever own up to it. Their first kiss had been brief, yet passionate, and Clarisse had cherished the memory of those few seconds all these years. And now, nearly 15 years later, as her lips moved against his, the passion of that night was reborn.
As he gently moved back from her, he whispered "I know you have a busy evening ahead of you, but may I stop by to say goodnight later?"
Taking both his hands in hers, she replied, "My room has a terrace, and it overlooks a spectacular garden. Perhaps we could pick up where we left off a few years ago?"
His smile answered for him, and he leaned in to kiss her briefly once more. "Until later, my Darling."
A/N Not sure where this is going, if anywhere, but hope you like it anyway!
