A/N Setduring PD1 - 2 days after their "wango", Joseph steals Clarisse away.

The following day was nearly unbearable for Clarisse. She couldn't stop thinking about her trip with Josephand everything seemed to go in slow motion, torturing her until she wanted to scream. Charlotte, aware of the Queen's mood, summoned Joseph to help out.

At precisely five pm, he arrived in her office, wordlessly crossing the room, reaching her before she had time to look up. He took the pen from her hand, pushed back her chair and pulled her up to face him. The expression on her face went from shock to surprise, and finally, to his relief, delight.

"Come with me."

"Oh, Joseph, I still have hours of work to do, I couldn't possibly..."

"It's not a request."

Still holding her hand he lead her out of the office and into her suite where Olivia was waiting. She curtseyed and asked the Queen to follow her into the dressing room. On her way Clarisse noticed a suitcase by the door. A futile glance to Joseph and she was behind closed doors with her ladies' maid.

In the sitting room, Joseph sighed audibly, counting his blessings that so far everything was going according to plan. Several moments later, Clarisse emerged wearing traveling clothes - a pale green pants suit, matching low-heeled shoes and a handbag. She gave him a shy smile as he nodded approvingly.

"What are you up to?" she asked, pretending to admonish him.

"That, Your Majesty, will be revealed to you in due time. Thank you, Olivia, you may carry the Queen's bag to the car, please."

Olivia did as directed, leaving them alone. Joseph pulled Clarisse close to him and whispered: "Are you ready for your much-deserved day off?"

"Joseph, you said tomorrow" she cried. I have work to do!"

"That, my darling, was to mislead you and make you think you had plenty of time to come up with a good excuse not to go. Now, if you'll come with me, a fancy little sports car awaits to take you and I away for a secret rendezvous."

She shook her head at him, but willingly let herself be lead out of the Consulate and into the car. Red; convertible; fast; it was not the car for a Queen by any means, but it was a perfect getaway car for two lovers. She relished the thought of feeling the wind in her usually perfectly coiffed hair, the thrill of Joseph beside her, and the adventure that awaited them.

Joseph helped her in the car, placing a kiss on her cheek as he did so, and waved away Charlotte who would have only slowed their departure. As he climbed into the driver's seat he looked over at Clarisse, flushed from excitement and the whirlwind last half hour.

"Ready?"

"I've been ready for this for years. Let's go."

He grinned at her, put the car in gear and headed out the gates of the Consulate. The sheer joy of the perfect afternoon and the high-powered car under his command would be enough for most men, but Joseph had something more - the thrill of Clarisse at his side and the anticipation of their next 24 hours together.