A/N Set during PD1, late evening, following their private dance in the ballroom of the Consulate.
It was nearly 12:30 am when Joseph slipped quietly into the Queen's suite. She had come back from the symphony and reception at 11:30 pm, and Joseph wanted to give her time to wind down.
A few candles were burning on the coffee table, but otherwise her sitting room was dark. He saw her sitting on the sofa and he called her name.
"Clarisse?"
She had fallen asleep, but stirred upon hearing Joseph's voice.
"Mmm. I was starting to think you weren't coming after all."
"Didn't I say I was coming?"
"I'm just a little impatient, that's all" she smiled at him as he joined her on the sofa. "How was your evening?" She held his hand, sending shivers through his body.
"Long, boring. Yours?"
"Long, burning." She paused. "I missed you."
He touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. "Clarisse, whatever is happening between the two of us, we shouldn't rush it."
The look in her eyes nearly crushed him. She drew her hand back from his and stood, moving toward the window.
"I don't know how to do this sort of thing, you'll have to forgive me, Joseph."
He sighed, staying where he was. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insinuate anything..."
"Of course not. But it's no secret to either of us that my only relationship was with Rupert, and well, you could hardly call that romantic." She tried to smile, but it was forced.
"Clarisse, this isn't about anybody but you and me. Our friendship is growing, and I would like to romance you as you deserve to be romanced: slowly, deliberately, and tenderly. Do you have any objection to that?"
"How could I object to such an honorable plan?"
He joined her at the window, entwining his hand with hers.
"You should get some sleep, another busy day is scheduled for tomorrow."
"I want at least one day completely free of duties while we're here, Joseph. I'd really like it if we could escape the Consulate and just go for a drive."
"A drive?"
Embarrassed, she dropped her head and smiled. "Like in the movies, you and me, just the two of us, driving along the coast, walking along the beach in our bare feet, dinner in some romantic little out-of-the-way place."
"You've given this a bit of thought, it seems."
"Charlotte told me about the rental car."
"I see. That was supposed to be a surprise. I'll have to talk with Miss Charlotte about her discretion, or lack thereof."
Clarisse laughed. "Don't blame her, I saw you drive in with it this afternoon, and I made her tell me. Oh, Joseph, can we really slip out of here, just the two of us?"
He pulled her into his arms. "Darling, the day after tomorrow, we'll sneak out of here at the crack of noon and spend the rest of the day, and evening, alone, driving, walking, eating, and," he lowered his voice: "I have some other wonderful activities planned as well."
"I think I'm going to like the day after tomorrow, very much."
He kissed her cheek. "Good night, my sweet."
Clarisse wrapped her arms around him, and held him tightly. "Sleep well, Joseph."
As the door closed behind him, Clarisse sat on the arm of the nearest chair. She smiled to herself, hardly daring to believe what was happening between her and her Head of Security.
